RCVS submits interim response to the Competition Commission

In the Competition Commission's publication on 17 September of its provisional conclusions on the existence of complex monopoly situations in the supply and dispensing of veterinary medicines, it asked all interested persons to raise any further points by Friday 4 October 2002.

The Commission has also invited the RCVS, along with the British Veterinary Association, to attend a joint hearing on Thursday 24 October in order to present and discuss its views in more detail.

In the meantime, the RCVS has taken the opportunity to provide initial comments on the Commission's proposals in an interim response submitted yesterday.

The RCVS response concentrates on the Commission's suggested amendments to the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct. It has refrained from commenting upon any of the Commission's provisional conclusions or, for the time-being, upon other possible remedies other than those which directly concern the College.

In her letter to the Commission, the RCVS Registrar explained that, "In the first instance...it is appropriate for the profession and its representative bodies to comment on the relevant provisional remedies and so the RCVS reserves judgment on those remedies at this stage."

Addendum - Friday 4 October 2002

Speaking at today's BVA Congress, Commission Inquiry Chairman, Mrs Denise Kingsmill CBE, said that "Although the 4 October deadline for submissions could not formally be extended, consideration will be given to any submissions received outwith this time limit."