Table 3 A summary of the EU requirements and examples of member state organization of training for meat inspection professionals

EU regulation

Theoretical training

500 hours

Probationary training in food businesses

200 hours

Practical training

400 hours

Mandatory assessment

Assessment at discretion of competent authority

Denmark

Formal training at Danish Meat Hygiene College

6 months

Official Auxiliaries

Official Veterinarians

France

Theoretical training

54 weeks

Official Auxiliaries

Practical training and assessment

35 weeks

Official Veterinarians

Finland

Theoretical

Short

Official Auxiliaries

Official Veterinarians

Ireland: Republic

National certificate level/equivalent in agricultural studies

Theoretical and practical training under supervision of Technical Agricultural Officers And Official Veterinarians

2 weeks

Technical Agricultural Officers

Theoretical and practical training.

24 hours

Veterinary Inspectors

Modular training:- Practical- Theory- Assessment

24 hours

Temporary Veterinary Inspectors

Ireland: Northern

Theoretical

Theoretical and written assessment

5 days

Official Auxiliaries

Practical experience AW course at Bristol university

1 week

Official Veterinarians

Italy

N/A

Practical experience and written assessment

45 days

Official Veterinarians

Post-graduate courses in VPH:

Veterinary Inspectors

Diplomas

1 year

Special Certificates

2 years

Luxembourg

N/A

Experience in ‘food facilities’ practical examination

Netherlands

Course to become full-time VPH workers in Meat Hygiene Service

12 weeks

Official Auxiliaries

Modular courses to work in VPH part-time.

1–3 weeks

Official Veterinarians

UK

Course at Bristol or Glasgow Universities No mandatory assessment

2 weeks

Official Auxiliaries

Practical experience in red and white-meat establishments

7 days

Official Veterinarians