Food Supply Veterinary Medicine

About Food Supply Veterinary Medicine

Terms

Data maps

Recognition

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Solving a critical shortage in

Food Supply Veterinary Medicine >

About food supply veterinary medicine

Data maps for each state show the ratio of food animals per veterinarian, the population of food animals, and the population of veterinarians.

A shortage of food supply veterinarians is putting our nation at risk.

Around the turn of the 19th century, virtually every veterinarian was a food supply veterinarian. Today, only about 17 percent of veterinarians work in food supply, which includes private and public practice veterinarians involved in the entire food chain from farm to fork.

Research forecasts a shortfall of four percent to five percent per year in the ranks of food supply veterinarians.

We are at a crossroads. Americans are demanding, now more than ever, healthy and wholesome food, and there aren't enough veterinarians on the front lines helping to make sure their expectations are met.

Many entities are working to spread the news that food supply veterinary medicine is at a critical juncture and deserves national attention. They are sharing information, building coalitions, lobbying for legislation and trying to recruit more students into the food supply field.

These Web pages are part of that effort, and they complement the many ongoing efforts currently under way to increase the number of food supply veterinarians around the country, particularly in rural areas. The links below will guide you to valuable information about the food supply veterinary shortage, what's being done to address it, and tools that you and your organization can use to meet one of society's greatest needs - a safe and healthy food supply.

For colleges of veterinary medicine:

Mentorship opportunities for students
Educational and externship opportunities
School debt-relief programs
Tools for faculty

For state associations, allied partners and industry:

State advocacy
Recruiting tools
Testimonials

Demand for food supply veterinarians:

Studies and statistics
Media coverage

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American Veterinary Medical Association