Analysis of the Factors Influencing Veterinary Food Inspectors in Poland

Abstract

The evaluation of the quality of Veterinary Inspection in Poland has received much attention in the past few years. Veterinarians working as Food Inspectors face numerous and newly arising problems in the protection of animal health status, providing surveillance information on the occurrence of diseases, and carrying out risk analyses of the hazards related to food of animal origin. From the 130 active veterinarians attending the post graduate courses in “Hygiene of slaughter animals, meat and animal origin products” in Poland, 119 took part in the survey. The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions that delivered information on demographic features of the respondents, and various aspects of the course of their work: (a) Motivation to undertake work in food safety sector, (b) overall job satisfaction, (c) crucial negative factors and (d) occupational hazards. Participants were mainly under 40 years of age. They were Veterinary Food Inspectors working as Official and Approved Veterinarians. Permanent position and economic reasons were their main motivation in the food safety sector. They indicated problems related to insufficient training in ante and post mortem examination, work with legal acts and risk analysis. They also declared a lack of preparation in coping with crisis situations. One third of the respondents declared their health and lives were endangered, while fulfilling professional duties and pointed at different sources of hazards. The overall evaluation of the work in food safety sector was rated good and satisfactory.

Causes of stress and conflict in the veterinary professional workplace – a perspective from Poland

“…According to data published by FVE [ 8 ], the veterinary profession is practiced by relatively young veterinarians among whom 44% are aged under 40. This is in line with the profile of respondents surveyed in the current study and recent research conducted in Poland on the group of Veterinary Food Inspectors [ 37 ] and indicates that the conflict in professional work is experienced mainly by veterinarians at the beginning of their carrier path and employed full time in a veterinary practice owned by another person. In the opinion of veterinarians, a conflict situation occurred in their workplace on average once a month.…”

Association between Enzootic Pneumonia-like Lung Lesions and Carcass Quality and Meat pH Value in Slaughter Pigs

“…The most important function of meat inspection in an abattoir is an evaluation of the carcasses for suitability for human consumption, consequently protecting public health [ 23 , 24 ]. Abattoir examination is a good opportunity for monitoring pig health and welfare through macroscopic identification of subclinical pathologies that are not possible to evaluate with observation at the farm of origin.…”