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A veterinarian shortage occurs when there is an insufficient number of veterinarians in an area compared to the number of animals present. This phenomenon occurs mainly in farming areas, due to the shortage of veterinarians specialized in livestock. This poses difficulties in terms of monitoring the health and care of farm animals.
The National Veterinary Order states that some 40 French departments are concerned about this "veterinary desert" phenomenon, especially in areas with low population density. The number of livestock veterinarians has decreased by 15% in the last 5 years. The shortage of veterinarians in rural areas could worsen in the coming years, particularly because the younger generation is drawn to the care of pets or horses. Without young veterinarians replacing the retiring rural veterinarians, the lack of veterinary coverage in some animal production areas will worsen. The problem is not the number of veterinarians, as the number of registered professionals is increasing every year, but rather their distribution in the territory and by type of activity.
Faced with this problem, the Senate has adopted a measure that will allow local authorities in the areas with the greatest deficiencies, determined by the Minister of Agriculture, to distribute aid for the placement and support of veterinarians. In addition, they will be able to pay support to students for their studies or professional projects to those who sign an agreement to practice in their territory if it is located in an area with a veterinary shortage.
July 9, 2020/ Senate/ France.
http://www.senat.fr
