Green Country Premium Beef, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2021 (USDA)

313.2

While performing HATS category 3 verification at approximately 0623 hours on Thursday, September 23, 2021 I, SPHV/IIC Dr. REDACTED observed the following instances of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e). There were approximately 26 head of cattle being held within pen 4. An exact head count was difficult to obtain due to poor lighting. I asked pen supervisor REDACTED when cattle were last unloaded, and I was informed they were unloaded overnight. Cattle within pen 4 had a single water source within the pen; however, livestock did not appear to be afforded unrestricted access to water due to crowding. One animal was standing with its rear limbs inside of the concrete stock tank. Livestock did not appear to have had room to lie down overnight due to crowding. The aforementioned observations are in non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e). I informed pen supervisor REDACTED that the establishment is receiving a non-compliance record due to non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e). I affixed U.S. Rejected Tag No. B19862051 to the latch of the door of the livestock unloading ramp. At approximately 0637 hours I informed FSQA manager REDACTED of my observations and explained that the U.S. Rejected tag would remain in place until livestock could be afforded unrestricted access to water. I observed the establishment restore free access to water for livestock at approximately 0715 hours by alleviating crowding of pen 4. U.S. Rejected Tag B19862051 was removed from the livestock unloading ramp at approximately 0725 hours. This NR is associated with NR#SVT0707093922N due to a similar instance of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e) for the same root cause that occurred on 9/22/2021. The establishment's corrective actions and/or preventive measures were either not implemented or were ineffective. This document serves as written notification that your failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in additional regulatory or administrative action.

313.1,313.2

While performing HATS category 3 and 7 verification at approximately 0625 hours on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 I, SPHV/IIC Dr. REDACTED observed the following instances of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e) and 313.1(b). There were in excess of 30 head of cattle being held within pen 5. An exact head count was difficult to obtain due to continued movement of animals. I asked pen supervisor REDACTED when the cattle were unloaded, and I was informed they were unloaded overnight. Cattle within pen 5 had a single water source within the pen; however, livestock did not appear to be afforded reasonable access to water due to crowding. Livestock did not appear to have had room to lie down overnight due to crowding. The aforementioned observations are in non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e). I observed a single cow lose their footing in pen 1, which resulted in the cow falling into left lateral recumbency on the floor with hooves completely losing contact with the floor. Within the span of approximately 60 seconds I observed two more cows held within pen 5 lose their footing and fall to recumbent positions on the floor. All observed cattle were moving at a normal walking speed with pen doors closed and no employees actively driving livestock. Upon further examination of the floor of the pens, it was observed that there was significant build-up of what appeared to be feces, mud, and urine throughout the pens. These observations are in non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.1(b) due to a failure to maintain good footing for livestock. I informed pen supervisor REDACTED that the establishment is receiving a non-compliance record due to non-compliance with 313.1(b) and 313.2(e). I affixed U.S. Rejected Tag No. B19862045 to the latch of the door of the livestock unloading ramp. I observed the establishment restore free access to water for livestock at approximately 0650 hours. Livestock were allowed access to an overflow pen to temporarily alleviate crowding. At approximately 0700 hours I informed VP of operations REDACTED of my observations and explained that the U.S. Rejected tag would remain in place until the footing in the pens is suitable for holding livestock. A review of previous NRs indicates that there have been no other instances of noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e) or 9 CFR 313.1(b) within the past 90 days.

313.2

At approximately 0605, while performing Humane Handling review in the pens and specifically HATS review category 3, Water and Feed Availability, the following noncompliance was observed. Dr. REDACTED SPHV, noticed multiple animals in pens numbered 3 and 4 as well as animals in 2 other pens without numerical designation. On closer observation it was noted that there was no water available in the pen numbered 3 and one of the pens without numerical designation. Mr. REDACTED QA, was advised and shown the non-compliance. Proper corrective measures were taken immediately by plant employees so no regulatory control action was necessary. A similar NR was written on 04-13-2021. NR SVT0709043313N / 1 was written on 04-13-2021 due to animals in the holding pens not having available water at the time of inspection. Plant management response included employees checking water in the pen’s multiple times a day. Plant corrective measures were either not implemented or not effective. This is a failure to comply with 9 CFR 313.2 e). This document serves as written notification that your failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in additional regulatory or administrative action.

313.2

At approximately 0757, while performing Humane Handling review in the pens and specifically HATS review category 3, Water and Feed Availability, the following noncompliance was observed. Dr. REDACTED SPHV, noticed multiple animals in pens numbered 3 and 4 as well as animals in 2 other pens without numerical designation. On closer observation it was noted that there was no water available in pen the pen numbered 3 and one of the pens without numerical designation. It was also noted that the animals in pen 4 and a second pen without numerical designation had small plastic tubs on the floor with a minimum amount of water in them and not truly available for animals to use. It must be noted that there are only two permanent water throughs available in the pen area which can be divided into 5 different pens, leaving 3 out of those five pens without a permanent secured water through. It was also noted that the animals had arrived in premises on 04-12-2021 before 0530 and unloaded into the pens by 0630. The plant did not slaughter that day, so the animals had been in house more than 24 hrs. by the time this inspection was made. There was no evidence in the pens that animals had been feed past the 24-hr. mark as per regulation. Ms. REDACTED Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager, was advised and shown the non-compliance. Proper corrective measures were taken immediately by plant employees so no regulatory control action was necessary. This is a failure to comply with 9 CFR 313.2 e). This document serves as written notification that your failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in additional regulatory or administrative action.