Agricultural and Fish Products Inspectors

Agricultural and fish products inspectors inspect agricultural and fish products for conformity to prescribed production, storage and transportation standards. They are employed by government departments and agencies and by private sector food processing companies. Supervisors of agricultural and fish products inspectors are also included in this group.

Example Titles

agricultural products inspector
crop certification inspector
dairy products inspector
fish and fish products inspector
fruit and vegetables inspector
grain inspector
livestock inspector
plant protection inspector
poultry inspector
supervisor, agricultural products inspection
supervisor, fish products inspection



Main duties

The following is a summary of main duties for some occupations in this unit group:

• Fish and fish products inspectors inspect fish, fish products, fish handling and processing methods and prepare reports and ensure that regulations are followed.

• Fruit and vegetables inspectors inspect fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables at inspection centres and prepare reports on crop production and market conditions.

• Grain inspectors inspect and grade all classes of grain at terminal elevators, monitor the fumigation of infested grain, and examine storage, handling and transportation equipment to ensure that sanitary procedures are followed.

• Meat inspectors monitor the operations and sanitary conditions of slaughtering and meat processing plants and inspect carcasses to ensure they are fit for consumption.

• Plant protection inspectors certify seed crops, oversee the quarantine, treatment or destruction of plants and plant products, and the fumigation of plants and plant product imports and exports.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is required.

• Government inspectors usually require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in agriculture, biology, chemistry, food processing technology or a related discipline.

• Inspectors (other than government) may require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in a related discipline.

• Several years of experience in agricultural production or fish processing are usually required.

• Completion of in-house training courses is required.