The AVMA has appointed Dr. George W. Beran of Ames, Iowa, to the task force. Administrator Billy last fall told the AVMA Council on Governmental Affairs that veterinarians and others would qualify for the new positions requiring education and skills in a number of scientific disciplines. A bachelor's degree may be required. FSIS veterinarians may work with extension agents and producers to increase knowledge of what plants expect relative to animals, including drug withdrawal times. Agency veterinarians also may work with state veterinarians regarding animal production food safety and verifying third-party certifications relating to food safety concerns.
Veterinarians can fill a role beyond the plant.
The agency intends to address safety hazards and other consumer protection concerns as animal product moves out of the plant and is transported, stored, and distributed at retail. Veterinarians are needed to evaluate inspection systems in 37 countries approved to export meat and poultry to the United States. Additional countries are seeking approval to export meat and poultry products to the United States. A veterinarian's specialized academic training in zoonotic diseases will continue to be needed in the nation's 6,500 meat, poultry, and egg production plants, Billy told council members. The veterinarian's role is not expected to change considerably in plants slaughtering animals with more complex pathology.