Background

This e-supplement presents the results of GAO’s 2009 Survey of Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Inspectors-in-Charge. The purpose of the Web-based survey was to collect nationwide information on inspectors’ experiences and challenges with enforcing the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA). We surveyed inspectors from a random probability sample of 257 slaughter establishments nationwide, stratified by size (large, small, and very small, based on USDA classification). In all, we received 235 usable questionnaires for an overall weighted response rate of 93 percent. The response rate according to our groupings of establishments by size was 89 percent for large, 89 percent for small, and 95 percent for very small establishments. The results from our sample are weighted to reflect the population of the establishments. This e-supplement lists questions from the survey and the results in the aggregate.

We conducted our work in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. A more detailed discussion of our scope and methodology and agency comments on the draft report are contained in our report "Humane Methods of Slaughter Act: Actions Are Needed to Strengthen Enforcement" (GAO-10-203).

Instructions for Viewing This E-supplement

How to View The Surveys

• Click on the Table of Contents link located in the lower right of this screen. To read to the bottom of the screen, you may need to use your scroll bar on the right side of this screen.
• The first screen in the survey is an introduction and general information that was sent to and viewed by recipients of the survey. There are no survey results to view on this screen. This screen is for information only and you may by-pass it by clicking on Next located at the bottom of the screen in the lower right.
• The survey may have links to allow respondents to bypass inapplicable questions (skip patterns). While these were active links during the data collection period, they have now been disabled.

How to View the Responses for Each Question

• To view the responses to each question, click on the question number (Links to survey questions will look like this: 1., etc.).
• After viewing the responses to each question, click on the "x" in the upper right corner of your screen to close that window and return to the questionnaire.

How to Return to a Page That You Previously Visited

• To return to the last screen you viewed, click the Previous button on the lower right corner of the screen.
• Click the Next button to advance to the next screen.

How to Make the Font Larger on Your Screen

• You can make the font larger by changing your browser setting. For example, on Internet Explorer you can change the font size by going to View and selecting Text Size.

Contact Information?

• If you have questions concerning these data, please contact Lisa Shames by e-mail or call 202-512-3841.