New support for rural veterinary practice in Wallonia

A new pilot programme in Wallonia (Belgium), aims to strengthen the future of rural veterinary practice by supporting students, young veterinarians and rural practices. PACTE-VET rural has been launched with the joint support of the Walloon ministers responsible for Agriculture, Economy and Animal Welfare, following work by the Observatory of the Veterinary Profession (Obsvet). Its aim: combat workforce shortages in rural practice.

Three measures to support rural practice

Running from 2026 to 2028, the pilot, worth nearly €680,000, focuses on three areas:

Early rural placements: Veterinary students in years 2–5 will be eligible for €600 per two-week rural placement, with €300 going to the student and €300 to the placement supervisor. Up to six placements may be supported per student, within the programme’s limits.
Support for new rural practitioners: Young veterinarians joining a collective rural practice can receive €5,000, with a further €5,000 available to the host practice for induction, training or equipment. Support is linked to a five-year commitment to rural veterinary practice.
Helping practices retain young vets: Rural practices can receive up to €5,000 for tailored coaching on recruitment, team organisation and retention, with the aim of creating sustainable working conditions and supporting long-term integration.

Coordinated implementation

Obsvet will coordinate implementation and annual evaluation in collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at ULiège, the Belgian Veterinary Association (UPV) and the Order of Veterinary Surgeons of the French-speaking part of Belgium (CRFOMV). The programme will also include mentoring, monitoring and a dedicated call for projects. The practical arrangements, eligibility criteria and timetable for the first calls will be announced once approved.

As Bernard Gauthier (UPV President) stressed, ‘PACTE-VET rural represents a structured response to the challenges facing rural veterinary medicine: giving more students the opportunity to discover rural practice, helping young vets establish themselves and enabling practices to attract and retain the next generation.’