News Notes

AVMA Endorses USDA Plan to Enhance Workforce

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) endorses the Rural Veterinary Action Plan by the
Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen the rural veterinary workforce and protect America’s food supply.

The Rural Veterinary Action Plan would:
Enhance veterinary grant programs by adding money to the program—up to an additional $15 million for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program;

• Analyze rural veterinary shortages by producing a report for policymakers to address veterinary shortage situations;
• Recruit and retain USDA veterinarians by exploring opportunities to increase pay and bonuses for federal veterinarians and revitalize existing programs; and
• Catalog federal resources available to veterinarians for starting a practice.

“The AVMA applauds the USDA for recognizing and working to address the immediate need to recruit and retain veterinarians in rural and underserved communities,” said Michael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVR, AVMA president. “Strengthening the nation’s animal health infrastructure and agricultural economy relies on the expertise of livestock and public health veterinarians. Through the Rural Veterinary Action Plan, animal and human welfare will be maintained, our food supply will be protected, and public health will be safeguarded.”

The AVMA urged Congress to pass the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, which is a bipartisan bill that would expand the reach and maximize the allocated funding of the highly successful VMLRP. The program helps attract veterinarians to USDA-designated veterinary shortage areas by assisting with veterinary school debt. MeV
For more, see the Rural Veterinary Action Plan.