Use our industry guide to find key background information, market research, import and export guidelines, statistics, legislation, trade bodies and trade publications.
The Business & Industry Guides series is produced by the Library & Information Service for ICAEW members and ACA students.
We can compile tailored key players reports, mailing lists, market reports, benchmarking reports and industry news. Our enquiry team can also research other industry-specific information, such as taxation, for you. Call us on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or email library@icaew.com.
Trends and forecasts
Online articles
The library provides full access to articles from leading business, finance and management journals.
Access to articles is provided subject to suppliers’ terms of use.
Useful links
Innovation in animal health: Historic success, current challenges and future opportunities
Report produced for HealthforAnimals, the global animal medicines association, by Oxford Analytica in January 2016. Discusses the future of the animal health industry including vaccine use, food safety and sustainability, pet health and zoonotic diseases. Chapter 3 explores opportunities for the veterinary health sector to adopt new technologies.
Vet Futures
Joint project set up by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in 2014 to consider issues facing the veterinary profession. The resources section includes a number of surveys and reports together with an action plan published in 2016.
ViVet: The Network for Veterinary Innovation
Programme run by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) seeking to ensure veterinary professionals are at the centre of innovation in the animal health sector. Activities include showcasing new technologies and businesses and providing advice on launching new products and services. Site includes case studies and a number of useful resources related to innovation in the veterinary sector.
Market research
Market research reports focusing on this business sector are available from a number of market research specialists. In most cases these reports are available to fee-paying subscribers or on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Some free information is available from the following market research specialists, ranging from industry news to executive summaries of the reports.
Euromonitor
A full listing of research reports for the veterinary services sector from Euromonitor, with reports available for a range of countries. Each report provides a contents listing and a useful executive summary reporting on the key trends in each country report.
IBISWorld
Business and industry research specialists offering reports on a wide range of sectors, including veterinary services in the UK. The company also produces global industry research reports.
Mintel
Reports from Mintel covering the UK petcare market. The website includes a summary and the option to view a contents listing.
Industry news
Statistics on the UK
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) publishes RCVS Facts annually. A range of facts and figures are provided on the veterinary profession, including number of veterinary surgeons and nurses plus number of registered veterinary practices broken down by UK region.
Office for National Statistics
The Annual Business Survey (ABS) from the Office for National Statistics collects financial information covering UK production, construction, distribution and service industries. Statistics available include:
- number of enterprises;
- total turnover;
- approximate gross value added at basic prices;
- total purchases of goods, materials and services;
- total employment costs;
- total net capital expenditure;
- total net capital expenditure – acquisitions;
- total net capital expenditure – disposals;
- total stocks and work in progress – value at end of year;
- total stocks and work in progress – value at beginning of year;
- total stocks and work in progress – increase during year.
The dataset Non-financial business economy, UK: Sections A to S includes statistics for:
- Veterinary Activities (75.00)
See Section M: (Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities)
Statistics on Europe
Eurostat
Eurostat, the EU statistics hub, collates detailed Structural Business Statistics giving the latest figures for industry, construction, trade and services by sector and country. The indicators available include:
- number of enterprises
- turnover or gross premiums written
- production value
- value added at factor cost
- gross operating surplus
- wages and salaries
- social security costs
- personnel costs
- gross investment in tangible goods
- number of employees
- number of persons employed per enterprise.
Statistics within the database are available for:
- Veterinary activities (M75)
See database section 'SBS services'
Federation of Veterinarians of Europe
In 2019 the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) published the FVE Survey of the Veterinary Profession in Europe. It provides detailed demographic, labour market and financial data for the veterinary profession in countries across Europe.
Statistics on the Americas
American Veterinary Medical Association
The American Veterinary Association (AVMA) publishes statistics related to the US veterinary profession. Some statistics are freely available, including the number of US veterinarians and their category of employment.
Employment
UK
The Office for National Statistics publication Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) includes average employment costs within this sector which can be found in Table 14. Average employment costs are provided for full-time employees, part-time employees and all employees.
The data includes average employment costs for:
- veterinarians
- veterinary nurses
The annual Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES), published by the Office for National Statistics, includes total employee and employment estimates for different industries for Great Britain and the UK. Figures are broken down to show full-time/part-time and public/private splits. The dataset Industry – Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES): Table 2 includes statistics for:
- Veterinary activities (75)
Europe
In 2019 the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) published the FVE Survey of the Veterinary Profession in Europe. Section 4 provides a range of data related to the employment of veterinarians in Europe including average earnings and working hours.
Other regions
Please see individual country profile pages for links to sources of national statistics.
Legislation
UK
GOV.UK offers guidance and information on veterinary topics, including:
- Register to practice as a veterinarian
- Registration and inspection of veterinary practice premises
- Veterinary medicines guidance
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the regulatory body for the UK veterinary profession. Its site includes details of government legislation together with guidance produced by the RCVS for veterinary surgeons and nurses.
Veterinary businesses: working after Brexit transition
Guidance from GOV.UK on what veterinarians need to do when the transition period after Brexit ends.
Europe
The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) has a section on legislation and soft law. Areas covered include animal health, animal welfare, food safety and public health, medicines, education and the veterinary profession.
UK business guides
Croner-i Business Focus
Business Focus is a resource that provides practical information on many small business trades and sectors. Its Business Opportunity Profiles offer detailed insights into market conditions, legal issues and the trading environment for a range of businesses. They include:
- Veterinary surgery
To find out more about Business Focus, please contact our enquiry team on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or at library@icaew.com.
Atom Content Marketing guides
The Start Up Donut from Atom Content Marketing provides practical information on starting up and running a number of small business types. Guides cover a range of areas including market research, current trends, regulations, products and services, promotion and pricing. They include:
UK key players, ratios and trends
UK benchmarking
Directories
VetIndex
Directory of veterinary products, services and referrals in the UK.
Trade bodies
The websites of trade bodies and other organisations in this sector are a useful source of industry overviews, contacts and statistics.
UK
- British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA)
- British Veterinary Association (BVA)
- British Veterinary Nurses Association (BVNA)
- British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA)
- National Office of Animal Health (NOAH)
- National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP)
- Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
- Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS)
- Veterinary Management Group (VMG)
Europe
FVE publishes a list of member organisations by country.
Asia
Americas
Global
The World Veterinary Association publishes a list of member associations in countries across the world.
Trade journals and publications
Trade journals, B2B magazines and specialist consumer magazines are another useful source of news and statistics.
Further reading
Articles and books in the Library collection
To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to book loans.
You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports by post or email through our document supply service.
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