BEF Foods, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2021 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the BEF Foods, Inc. slaughterhouse establishment in 2021.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2021.
313.2,313.30 (a)(2)
On 9/15/2021 at approximately 9:50 am while in the barn observing and verifying HATS Category VI Electric Prodding/Alternative Object Use, IPP observed the following non-compliance. While walking past the door to the old scale house area I heard multiple sows vocalizing. Due to the excessive vocalization, I was prompted to go out to the old scale house area. I observed multiple sows crowded in the chute that had two sides. On both sides of the chute, I observed multiple pairs of sows that were wedged shoulder to shoulder and pinned against the sides of the chute. They were not able to freely move forward or backward. They were vocalizing loudly and appeared to be overly excited. An establishment employee came to separate the sows. In the process of separating and handling them, he opened the first metal gate to the single file chute. A sow then ran under the gate into the single file chute and the employee closed the metal gate down on the back of the sow right above her back legs pinning her belly to the ground with her back legs extended behind her. The employee then proceeded to continue walking away towards the back of the two-sided chute. IPP made the employee aware of the vocalizing and excited sow that remained pinned to the ground. At that point, the employee went back and removed the gate. It took a few seconds before the sow was able to stand after the gate was lifted, and when she moved, a change in her gait was observed. Shortly after the sow was released by the gate, another employee came out to the old scale house area. The two employees successfully separated the sows that were pinned and crowded in the two-sided chute. Upon observing this non-compliance, I asked an employee with a radio to call REDACTED, the harvest floor supervisor. I informed him of the observation. I also informed him that the establishment would receive a non-compliance record due to the observed non-compliance. The establishment was non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.2(a) and 313.30(a)(2). This document serves as a written notification that continued failure to meet regulatory requirements can lead to enforcement action as described in 9 CFR Part 500.4
313.1,313.2
HATS Category IV-Handling During Ante Mortem Inspection At approximately 0545 hours, I went down to the barn to perform an ante-mortem check on a load of pigs. At the North end of pen number 2, there was pig vocalizing loudly, and on inspection it was determined that the pig had its head stuck between the lowest two metal bars of the gate. Plant employee immediately euthanized the animal to prevent further injury or distress to the animal, and no other animals were affected. This is in violation of regulation 9 CFR 313.1 (a) Livestock pens, driveways and ramps shall be maintained in good repair. They shall be free from sharp or protruding objects which may, in the opinion of the inspector, cause injury or pain to the animals. Loose boards, splintered or broken planking, and unnecessary openings where the head, feet, or legs of an animal may be injured shall be repaired. And 9 CFR 313.2 (a) Driving of livestock from the unloading ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals.
