Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

At 10:15pm on 7/29/22, while performing the HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness portion of the Humane Handling task, I, REDACTED, DVM, SPHV, observed the following noncompliance: An animal entered the restrainer very agitated and was moving its head around wildly. The employee in the knocking area attempted to render the animal unconscious with a compressed air captive bolt device. His first attempt contacted the animal in the very dorsal left poll area. The animal remained conscious and became even more agitated, repeatedly moving its head away from the employee and the captive bolt. The employee was able to administer a second knock that was successful in rendering the animal unconscious. I informed Supervisor REDACTED, General Foreman REDACTED, and FSQR Supervisor REDACTED that a noncompliance record would be issued. The establishment has failed to comply with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1). A similar noncompliance, UHM4415062530N-1, was documented on 6/29/22.

313.15(a)(1)

At 0054 hours on 6/29/2022, while performing the HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness portion of the Human Handling task, I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following non-compliance. The employee in the knocking area attempted to render a steer, with ear tag # 953P, unconscious with a compressed air captive bolt. His first attempt contacted the animal at the very dorsal portion of the poll. I observed that the animal remained conscious, as indicated by its continued movement of the head and eyes tracking the employee. I also observed the eyes blinking as the steer raised his head over the restrainer. The employee immediately applied a second knock which was successful in rendering the animal unconscious. He then administered a third security knock. I immediately took regulatory control by stopping production. I verbally informed Slaughter Supervisor REDACTED and General Forman REDACTED that a non-compliance would be issued to the establishment. The establishment has failed to comply with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1). A similar incident occurred on 6/22/2022 with NR#UHM0723061322N-1.

313.15(a)(1)

At 10:46pm on 6/22/22, while performing the HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness portion of the Human Handling task, I, Dr. REDACTED, DVM, SPHV, observed the following noncompliance. The employee in the knocking area attempted to render a steer unconscious with a compressed air captive bolt. His first attempt contacted the animal at the very dorsal portion of the poll and I observed that the animal remained conscious, as indicated by its continued movement of the head and eyes tracking the captive bolt device. The employee immediately applied a second knock which was successful in rendering the animal unconscious. He then administered a third security knock. I immediately informed Supervisor REDACTED who called for General Foreman REDACTED and FSQR Supervisor REDACTED, whom I then informed that a noncompliance record would be issued. The establishment has failed to comply with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1).

313.1

HATS Category IV – Ante-mortem Inspection On April 1, 2022 at about 0533h I, Dr. REDACTED, was performing Humane Handling Antemortem in the barn. We were processing Holstein cows out of pen #4. One cow could not move away from the water trough because her nostril had gotten hooked on the hook end of a chain draped over the side of the water trough. Three barn personnel supported the animal, and the hook was extracted from her nostril. It was evident the hook pierced her nostril, as frank blood was seen on her nose as she moved past me. The animal did not vocalize at any point. The barn personnel were notified that this incident was a noncompliance and I requested that the barn manager REDACTED also be informed, although I also did so personally later when I exited the barn. The only immediate corrective action was to release the hook from the cow’s nostril. The chain remained on the tank and animals were replaced into the pen. The chain was removed later. This is Noncompliant with 9CFR 313.1(a).