Agricultural inspectors ensure the safety and quality of food and animals, following regional and national regulations. They conduct inspections of facilities, products, and environments, using random sampling and testing. Communication and organizational skills are essential, as is a degree in agricultural science or related fields.
An agricultural inspector ensures that the food and animals we eat are free of disease. He also ensures that these products meet quality and freshness standards ranging from fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat and poultry. Your work is important for the quality and safety of imported and domestic food.
Laws and regulations governing the safety of food products are imposed at the regional and national levels and vary by country. These regulations are adjusted as conditions change and concerns arise. Guidelines may change seasonally, or a product initially thought to be safe may suddenly be withdrawn from the market if an infestation or parasite is suspected. The processing facilities that the products pass through are inspected as thoroughly as the products themselves.
An agricultural inspector typically must perform several inspections of a facility, its surrounding areas, and its products. Your job can change as threats from invasive and destructive pests and diseases change. Keeping meticulous and timely records of your findings is essential to the public’s safety. Staying informed of up-to-date rules and regulations is also an important part of the inspector’s job.
To conduct effective on-site inspections, an agricultural inspector usually employs complete random sampling. This may include taking indiscriminate samples of fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry and testing them for disease and abnormalities in a laboratory specializing in food analysis.
In addition to product sampling, the environment in which products are grown or raised must be tested. This exam checks for unacceptable feeding systems, substandard medical care, or inadequate animal testing. This investigation also helps ensure that fruits, grains and vegetables are shipped in proper packaging or containers that are free of chemicals or pests.
An agricultural inspector’s success depends on his or her attention to detail and dedication to protecting the public from illness caused by eating contaminated or substandard produce. Highly developed communication skills are required as he is required to interact extensively with farmers, food brokers and regulatory agencies. Good organizational skills are also helpful.
To qualify for the job, an inspector usually needs a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science or a related field. In some cases, relevant experience in a similar industry, associated with courses in biology or agricultural science, is acceptable. In either case, he must study regional and national inspection procedures and pass the certification tests required by his particular country before becoming an agricultural inspector.
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