Spain, the European Union's largest livestock producer, is facing a quiet crisis: a growing shortage of veterinarians in its depopulated rural heartland. The consequences are being felt not only in the economy but also in the welfare of animals, as oversight becomes increasingly scarce.
A recent survey by the Federation of European Veterinarians (FVE) reveals that Spanish vets earn a median salary of around €26,400 per year—less than their counterparts in Hungary, Slovakia, and Lithuania, which rank 17th, 18th, and 23rd among European economies. The collective agreement for Spanish veterinary workers is even bleaker, with laboratory technician positions starting at just €19,403 annually, excluding supplements.
The pay gap is pushing professionals abroad. According to the FVE study, 60% of Spanish veterinarians who emigrated did so to improve their working conditions. Those who remain report an average of eight hours of overtime per month, slightly above the EU average.
A rural exodus with economic ripple effects
The shortage is acute in regions like Castilla y León and Aragón, where vast stretches of land have population densities comparable to Finnish Lapland. The Spanish Veterinary Organisation (OCV) presented a paper at the FVE General Assembly in Rovaniemi, Finland, detailing the challenges. OCV president Gonzalo Moreno explains: "As there are fewer and fewer of us, colleagues face a heavier workload, they have to visit more farms and drive more kilometres every day. These are very tough conditions, which make generational renewal difficult, and we also need to look at profitability."
The economic impact is tangible. The slaughterhouse association Amacyl, based in Castilla y León, estimates that the lack of vets has cut working hours by up to 45% in facilities and adjacent industries like dairy production. Spain exports over five million tonnes of livestock products annually, representing 26% of EU output, ahead of Germany.
This shortage is part of a broader pattern of rural depopulation that has long plagued Spain's interior. The lack of professional opportunities compounds the problem, creating a vicious cycle that discourages new residents and businesses from settling in these areas.
Animal welfare under threat
The absence of veterinary oversight has direct consequences for animal welfare. Spanish newspaper elDiario.es reported that proceedings have been opened against the Vicente de Lucas Fuentetaja abattoir near Segovia after it slaughtered 200 young deer kept in cramped, stressful conditions. The animals reportedly remained alive for minutes after being shot.
Earlier this year, the organisation ARDE denounced a mega pig farm in Castellote (Teruel), where several animals were found fatally injured and living alongside decomposing carcasses. Ecologistas en Acción has warned that the proliferation of such large livestock operations—partly a response to economic pressures—ironically undermines repopulation efforts due to the pollution they generate, further deterring veterinary professionals from moving to these areas.
The OCV highlights another paradox: Spain has the widest veterinary training offer in the EU, with 15 faculties and a new one planned by the University of Salamanca. Yet an estimated 35% of graduates pursue careers abroad, and many of those who stay are unwilling or unable to work in rural regions.
The situation raises urgent questions about the sustainability of Spain's livestock industry and the ethical treatment of animals. As the country grapples with depopulation, the shortage of vets is not just a professional issue—it is a threat to public health, food safety, and animal rights.
