The government has launched an eight-week consultation period on what could be the biggest overhaul of the sector in 60 years, aimed at improving price transparency and strengthening regulation. Under the proposals, vet practices would be required to publish prices for common treatments, disclose the ownership of the practice, and operate under a new licensing system similar to GP surgeries and care homes. However, Stuart Saunders, the clinical director at Jurassic Vets, an independent practice in Sidmouth, said the centre had always been transparent about pricing. The proposals come following concerns that 60 per cent of vet practices are owned by just six large corporate groups. One of these groups is the country’s largest vet care provider, IVC Evidensia, which owns more than 1,000 practices across the UK, including about five in East Devon.