THE BVA, in conjunction with the Society of Practising VeterinarySurgeons
and the Veterinary Practice Management Association,has been running a
quarterly financial survey of veterinarypractices since 2000. There are now
six full years of data todraw upon, revealing interesting trends. This period
saw thedevastating foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in 2001, with itsimpact
on mixed practice economics, further changes in agriculturalpractice, and
implementation of the recommendations from theMarsh and Competition
Commission inquiries on the supply ofveterinary medicines. Seeing the
economic trends in practicesacross the country helps the BVA to assess the
true impact ofthese events.