Shortage Of Rural Veterinarians Affecting Food Inspection System

[Joanne98]

A shortage of veterinarians who treat farm animals or work as government inspectors could threaten the nation’s food system.

The biggest shortage is in the Farm Belt, the rural areas in the Midwest that produce a lot of the nation’s meat.

An increasing number of veterinarians are choosing to live in cities and treat pets instead of living in rural areas and working with farm animals.

Gregory Hammer, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association said, “We’re in a crisis situation. We don’t have enough rural veterinarians to be a first line of defense against animal diseases.”

The federal government is offering bonuses and covering moving expenses to lure more vets to work in food safety.

Michael Gilsdorf, head of the National Association of Federal Veterinarians, said, “There are so many vacancies that you’ve got one veterinarian doing the job of three.”


Marguerite Pappaioanou, executive director of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, stated that about 900 of 1,200 veterinarian positions in the Department of Agriculture’s food inspection service are filled.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the number of vets needed will grow by 22,000 by 2016 which will make it one of the fastest-growing professions.

About 2,500 people graduate from the nation’s 28 veterinarian schools each year. This number hasn’t changed in 30 years.

Source: USA Today
http://www.itchmo.com/shortage-of-rural-veterinarians-affecting-food-inspection-system-4834

[Kali]

1. I can attest to this. There are a few large animal vets in the area

but they specialize in the horsey set, not many cow vets around here. Used to be three or four. Haven't called one in years not sure who I would call.

Thanks. Maybe this is the kick in the pants I need to find somebody before an emergency actually happens. (on a Sunday evening, of course)

[Pharlo]

2. It would help if they paid vets more.

An RN makes more than a veterinarian around here (rural WI) and has less schooling. Gee, I wonder why there may be a shortage of vets. And, those who work with farm animals have to drive to the farm to see the animals. Gas prices are part of their overhead. Whereas, a dog or cat is brought into the clinic. The vet I go to, the cost for a clinic office visit is comprable to the cost for a farm visit.

[riderinthestorm]

3. And injuries are common with large livestock

One of my horse vets was slammed into a wall one too many times by badly managed large animals, and after his FIFTH torn rotator cuff injury he switched to cats and dogs.

They can expect to work in brutal weather, and sometimes in some pretty miserable conditions. I don't begrudge the vets any of the money I give them - although my animals are well trained, I hear my docs' horror stories and know they earn their pay.