USDA tackles veterinarian shortage

Rural Veterinary Action Plan includes more funding for scholarships and resources to recruit more large animal vets.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has an­nounced a five-part Rural Veterinary Action Plan to tackle the large animal veterinarian shortage in the United States.

The plan includes greater in­vestments in grants and scholarships aimed at increasing the number of rural food animal veterinarians across the U.S. as well as improved pay and working conditions to help recruit new veterinarians to join the USDA in safeguarding animal health, public health and U.S. trade.

Rural veterinarians represent the first line of defense in the animal food production system, helping guard against animal health threats and foodborne illnesses,...