Bruce Westerman: “As a top-ranking State in livestock production, Arkansas is in need of food animal veterinarians like many other places…”

“As a top-ranking State in livestock production, Arkansas is in need of food animal veterinarians like many other places around the country. In 2022, 25 counties within my district applied for designated shortage area status. Of the 25 counties that applied, only 13 were awarded the status. Food animal veterinarians who practice in these areas are eligible to apply for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, or VMLRP. Food animal veterinarians are on the decline, and this program is essential to encourage young Americans to consider practicing food animal veterinary. With the 2018 Farm Bill set to expire in September of this year, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to consider the importance of the VMLRP Program in addressing the food animal veterinarian shortage that poses a concern to my constituents and many of my colleagues' constituents, and also it is critical to the food supply for our Nation. ____________________”