Changes to the procurement of professional veterinary services

Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) is changing the way professional veterinary services (the services provided by Official Veterinarians) will in future be procured.

It is the intention to move towards formal contracts, awarded following a fair, open and competitive procurement process. This is a departure from the current arrangement, where AHVLA negotiates a standard fees structure with the BVA which is then universally applied.

Working collaboratively with Defra, Welsh and Scottish Governments work has begun to develop options in order to make this happen. It is anticipated that this consultation exercise may take some time.

Working in parallel to this work, AHVLA is also seeking to develop a more collaborative and strategic approach to working with private veterinary practitioners.

Procurement updates

See our Procurement updates page for the latest news and briefing material about competitive tendering for TB testing services, and how AHVLA will work with private veterinary practices in the future.