§ Mr. LilleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the annual expenditure on veterinary and other health care for animals(a) by pet owners, (b) by farmers and (c) in total. [104252]
§ Ms QuinThe cost of veterinary medicines and other health care for animals is not controlled by European or UK law and we have made no estimate of annual expenditure in these areas. However, the National Office of Animal Health Ltd. which represents manufacturers of veterinary medicines has estimated that the UK market for animal health products is approximately £370 million in terms of sales by manufacturers and that approximately half the sales by value are of products for the treatment of farm animals. Decisions on pricing of medicinal products are matters for the companies marketing them, taking account of commercial factors such as development and production costs and anticipated volume sales. Similarly, the cost of veterinary treatment is not governed by any statutory rules but is a matter for negotiation between veterinary surgeon and client.