Marin Sun Farms, 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 Marin Sun Farms, Inc. slaughterhouse establishment in 2021.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2021.
313.30(a)(3)
On Monday, August 23, 20221, I Relief Inspector REDACTED, observed the following non-compliance. At about 6:15am while performing a routine humane handling task, I saw an employee administer an electrical stun to a hog, but instead of rendering the animal immobile and insensible as expected, the animal squealed and vigorously tried to free itself from restraint. Sensing that the hog was under duress and knowing the stunning device was not working effectively, the operator, released the wand trigger, and immediately reached for the ready captive bolt backup. A second knock was then effectively applied and the animal dropped and became immobile. The operator after completing the sticking and hoisting of the hog, then reached for the electrical stunning wand, unplugged it from the wall, and handed it to Mr. REDACTED, QA Supervisor. Mr. REDACTED left with the defective wand and returned in a few minutes with a replacement. The operator plugged the replacement wand into the power source, brought another hog into the stunning area and administered an effective first knock with the replacement wand. As the corrective actions were both immediate and effective in my presence, no additional regulatory control actions were necessary. However, I informed Mr. REDACTED that I would be issuing a non-compliance for this first knock failure. The incident described above is non-compliant with 9 CFR313.30(a)(3).
313.15(a)(1)
On 5/11/21 at approximately 1045 hours, I, Dr. REDACTED SVMO, while performing HATS category VIII, stunning effectiveness for the Livestock Humane Handling task, observed the following. A beef cow (93CF0078) required a second stun to effectively stun the animal, after the first stunning attempt didn’t produce unconsciousness. After the first stun with a handheld penetrating captive bolt device, the cow remained standing, as the animal had moved during the stunning attempt and the bolt penetrated the right side of the cow’s face approximately two inches below the right eye (craniad towards the nose). The stunning employee then immediately and effectively re-stunned the cow. QA REDACTED was present, and I notified him of the situation, and tagged the knock box with US Rejected tag No. B19890335 in accordance with 9 CFR 313.50 (c). As the establishment failed to produce immediate unconsciousness with the first stunning blow, this is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1).
