Congressman's Column by Adrian Smith

Rural America Needs Veterinarians Those of us who enjoy living in small, rural communities know well the many benefits. Neighbors know each other, they help out during harvest or calving season, and they are always there to lend a hand.

Of course, there are challenges, among them access to air service, specialized medical care, and roads funding. One such challenge is access to a qualified veterinarian. The demand for large-animal veterinarians is soaring, but a shortage persists which could put our nation's agriculture economy at risk.

Nebraska's Third District is one of the largest agricultural districts in the country, home to more than 30,000 farmers and ranchers. We have the top three beef cow counties in the U.S., and we rank first in the nation in commercial red meat production.

Nebraska needs large animal veterinarians. Our food animal veterinary workforce is on the front lines of food safety, public health, and animal health.

This vital profession, however, is facing a critical shortage in the public, private, industrial, and academic sectors. To make matters worse, the problem is on the rise.

Large animal veterinarians, in particular, are integral to small, rural communities. But in many of these communities - communities with few people but large numbers of animals - we are seeing a very distressing trend.

According to the most recent date from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cherry County has 145,000 food animals per veterinarian. In fact, counties throughout our state are suffering from this disparity.

In order to stem this tide, I have introduced H.R. 3519, the Veterinarian Services Investment Act.

The legislation authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to award competitive grants to help develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services, especially in underserved areas. These grants may be used to support a wide array of activities based on the needs of an area, including:

Veterinarian and veterinary technician recruitment; Expanding and establishing practices in high-need areas; Surveillance of food animal disease and the utilization of veterinary services; Establishing mobile/portable clinics and tele-vet services;

Accredited veterinary education programs, including continuing education, distance education, and faculty recruitment.

Under my bill, eligible applicants must carry out programs or activities which will substantially relieve the veterinary shortages throughout our country.

I am proud to say more than 30 of my colleagues - Democrat and Republican - have joined me as cosponsors of H.R. 3519.

My legislation has been endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the National Pork Producers Council, the American Horse Council, the American Feed Industry Association, and dozens of others.

Veterinarians make a difference everyday. They understand animals and they are integral parts of our rural communities. Unfortunately, too many rural communities don't have this necessary support. Our nation faces major challenges to relieve veterinary shortages and to enhance the professional lives of veterinarians in both rural and urban areas. Improving the well-being of food animals and the agriculture producers who rely on large animal veterinarians for their economic well-being is one of my priorities. The Veterinarian Services Investment Act is a step in the right direction.