Islamic Meat & Poultry Co.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.2

At approximately 0853 hours while monitoring conditions in the livestock holding pens, I observed the following noncompliance. In animal holding pen # 7 there were approximately 25 lambs in the pen. I found that the pen’s automated waterer was not working. The tank appeared to be dry with some dry hay particles in the bottom. There was no other source of water located in the pen. I found this to be in non-compliance with 9CFR 313.2(e), which states in part: animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. There shall be sufficient room in the holding pen for animals held overnight to lie down. I show Plant Manager REDACTED my findings and informed him of the forth coming non-compliance record. Mr. REDACTED moved the animals in question to a different holding pen with a working automated waterer. When the animals arrived in the new holding pen, they appeared to be thirsty heading straight to the water trough. The failure to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR could result in additional regulatory or administrative actions as prescribed in 9, CFR 500.4.

313.1

On 6/26/2022, from 0730 to 0930 hours, I, SPHV REDACTED, inspected the pens and alleyways (HATS Category IV, Ante-mortem Inspection) during an odd-hour inspection. I observed a missing horizontal board along the north sidewall of the beef lead-up ramp located adjacent to the entrance door; this created a gap in the wall approximately 4-5 inches wide and 8 feet long in the sidewall, and was located immediately above the ramp floor. The gap created a significant potential for calf foot injury and entrapment hazard. Also, there was another missing board in the north sidewall at the top of the beef lead-up ramp, which created an elongated gap in the wall approximately 6 inches above the beef lead-up chute floor; this gap created significant potential for calf foot injury and entrapment. Also, the missing boards demonstrated that the beef lead-up ramp was not maintained in good repair. The missing boards was a noncompliance with Title 9 CFR 313.1(a). There were no animals in the lead-up chute during this finding, and no animals on premises showed any signs of injury that could have resulted from the gaps in the lead-up ramp wall. I closed the door to the lead-up ramp and attached US Reject tag B-25984108 to the lead-up ramp door. Plant Manager REDACTED, who was on the premises during this odd-hours inspection, was notified and shown the noncompliance. The establishment later had securely placed boards in the gaps in the beef leadup chute wall, and then USDA inspection personnel verified the repair was satisfactory and removed the  U.S. Reject tag from the beef leadup ramp entrance door.

313.1

On 11/25/2021, from 1430 to 1630 hours, I, SPHV REDACTED, inspected the pens and alleyways (HATS Category IV, Ante-mortem Inspection), during an odd-hour inspection. At the top of the beef lead-up chute, I observed the east end of a horizontal 2-by-4 wood board that was loose and splintered, with the pointed end of the splinter protruding approximately one inch into the chute space where cattle would enter during slaughter operations. The board was located approximately 6 inches above the floor in the south wall at the top landing of the chute. The loose and splintered board demonstrated the beef lead-up chute was in disrepair and created a protruding object hazard that had significant potential to injure an animal if placed in the chute. This was a noncompliance with Title 9 CFR 313.1(a). There were no animals in the lead-up chute during this finding, and no animals on premises showed any signs of injury that could have resulted from the protruding splintered wood in the lead-up chute wall. I closed the door to the lead-up chute and attached US Reject tag B-15984115 to the lead-up chute door. REDACTED, Plant Manager, was notified of the noncompliance.