Creston Valley Meats: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2021 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII While performing a Humane Handling verification of HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness, on 06/07/2021 at approximately 1400 hours, I, Consumer Safety Inspector, REDACTED, observed stunning effectiveness noncompliance 9CFR 313.16(a)(1) of market hog by Slaughter Floor Manager, REDACTED. Mr. REDACTED leaned over the knock box railing to stun the hog. After the first stun with the 223-caliber rifle, the animal remained conscious with loud squealing vocalization. Mr. REDACTED immediately reloaded the 223 rifle and executed a second stun (20-30 seconds) which instantly rendered the animal unconscious and the animal fell onto its side. I applied U.S. Reject tag #B39619904 to the knock box entrance following the humane handling regulatory noncompliance with 9CFR 313.16(a)(1). I notified Mr. REDACTED and Plant Manager Jordan Cooper of the application of the USDA Reject Tag and the forthcoming noncompliance. I examined the pig’s skull after skinning and noted two holes in the skull. After satisfactory corrective actions were proffered, the knock box was released at 1435 hours.

313.15 (b)(1)(i),313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIIIOn 05/19/2021 at approximately 1145 hours, I, Dr. REDACTED, SPHV, and Consumer Safety Inspector, REDACTED observed the following while performing a Humane Handling Task and verifying HATS Category VIII, stunning. I proceeded to the knock box to observe plant employee, REDACTED, knock a steer. Plant employee, REDACTED, leaned over the knock box railing and proceeded to knock the steer. After the first knock with the captive bolt, the animal was observed moving freely in the knock box, clearly conscious but without any vocalization noted. Plant employee quickly reloaded the captive bolt (2-3 seconds) and executed a secondary knock which then the animal fell on its side and was rendered unconscious. IPP applied U.S. Reject tag #B39619905 to knock box entrance following observations of humane handling regulatory noncompliance with 9CFR313.15(a)(1) and 9CFR313.15(b)(1)(i). IPP notified Establishment Plant Manager, Jordan Cooper, of the application of the USDA Reject Tag and the forthcoming non-compliance. In observation of the steer’s skull after skinning, I observed that there were two holes in the skull. One hole which was noted in the center of the skull that did not have complete penetration through the skull and the second hole which penetrated the skull completely. After satisfactory corrective actions were offered, the knock box was released at 1600 hours.

313.2

HATS Category II: Truck Unloading On 05/4/21 at approximately 0843 hrs., I, Consumer Safety Inspector, REDACTED observed the following at the livestock receiving pen while REDACTED, Slaughter Floor Supervisor, was unloading hogs from a stock trailer. Mr. REDACTED, got into the livestock receiving pen to begin unloading a farmer’s hogs. In the livestock receiving pen there was a pig approximately 215 lbs. from a previous client who dropped off earlier in the morning. The pig was walking around eating the straw/hay inside the receiving pen in front of the unloading area. Mr. REDACTED tried several times to move the pig away from the feeding area inside the pen and was unsuccessful. Mr. REDACTED then proceeded inside the farmer’s trailer to unload the hogs. Mr. REDACTED tried to unload this trailer, but after about 5-10 minutes, the farmer then stepped into the livestock holding pen and pushed the 215 lb. pig over onto its back/loins leading to all four feet of the pig pointing up into the air. The pig vocalized and let out a medium squeal for approximately 5-10 seconds when the farmer pushed the pig onto its back. Mr. REDACTED then noticed the pig vocalizing and turned around inside the trailer and noticed what the farmer had done and told the farmer, “No don’t do that.!” I was standing on the walkway outside of the slaughter floor door and had full view of livestock pen and was able to observe the pig get pushed onto its back loins and stand back up. The pig appeared to be stressed and stood in one position for approximately 15 seconds before slowly walking around. I applied U.S. Reject tag #A 9334135 to livestock gate following observations of human handling violation to prevent further unloading, I then contacted, my Supervisor Dr. REDACTED who in returned contacted Frontline Supervisor Dr. REDACTED. All livestock unloading was stopped. IIP notified Establishment Administrator, REDACTED, of the application of the USDA Reject Tag. This is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.2(a), which states in part: “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.”