We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What does an Agricultural Inspector do?

By Cassie L. Damewood
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,951
Share

An agricultural inspector ensures the foods and animals we eat are free of disease. He also makes sure these products meet standards for quality and freshness, which vary for fruit, vegetable, dairy, meat and poultry products. His job is important to the quality and safety of both domestic and imported food.

Laws and regulations governing the safety of food products are imposed at regional and national levels and vary by country. These regulations are adjusted accordingly as conditions change and concerns arise. The guidelines can change seasonally, or a product initially deemed safe can suddenly be pulled from the market should a parasite or disease be suspected of infestation. The processing facilities through which the products pass are inspected as thoroughly as the products themselves.

An agricultural inspector must normally conduct several inspections of a facility, its surrounding areas and its products. His job may alter as the threats of invasive and destructive pests and disease change. Maintaining meticulous and timely records of his findings is imperative to the safety of the public. Keeping informed on updated standards and regulations is also an important part of the inspector’s job.

To perform effective site inspections, an agricultural inspector often employs thorough, random sampling. This may include taking indiscriminate samples of fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry and having them tested for diseases and abnormalities at a laboratory specializing in food analysis.

In addition to product sampling, the environment in which the products are grown or raised must be tested. This scrutiny checks for unacceptable feeding systems, substandard medical care or inadequate testing of animals. Such investigation also helps makes sure fruits, grains and vegetables are shipped in proper packaging or containers free of chemicals or pests.

An agricultural inspector’s success depends on his attention to detail and dedication to protecting the public from disease caused by ingesting contaminated or inferior products. Highly-developed communication skills are necessary, as he is required to extensively interact with farmers, food brokers and regulating agencies. Good organizational abilities are also helpful.

To be eligible for the job, an inspector generally needs a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science or a closely related field. In some cases, relevant experience in a similar industry, coupled with coursework in biology or agricultural science is acceptable. In either case, he will be required to study regional and national inspection procedures and pass the certification tests required by his particular country before becoming an agricultural inspector.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-does-an-agricultural-inspector-do.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.