Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to investigate the takeover of private veterinary practices by private equity firms with no veterinary qualifications and allegations of profiteering.

Anyone practising as a veterinary surgeon, regardless of the ownership of the practice, needs to be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and has a duty to provide care ensuring that animal health and welfare is their first consideration. Any concerns about the ownership or commercial practices of businesses should be directed to the Competition and Markets Authority.