Main Processing LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.2

At approximately 1350 hours on 5/04/22, I, CSI REDACTED observed the following Noncompliance Issues on the slaughter floor at Detroit Processing. I observed the head gate on the knock box fail to close correctly allowing a beef cow to use its weight and push through and exit the chute into the skinning area. For safety reasons, we exited the area and the cow followed when we exited the building. After the beef cow exited the building, the establishment employees and management immediately followed with transport a short distance and contained the beef cow in a neighborhood yard. There was no way to get the cow safely back on a trailer at back to the establishment without undue stress and risk. At this time, the beef cow was humanely slaughtered (single gunshot wound to the head and the cow fell immediately. I was able to verify insensibility from a distance. A security knock was then administered with a second gunshot to the head). The carcass was transported back to the Establishment. Where the Establishment kept the affected carcass separated from the Slaughter Process and performed Slaughter Operations on this carcass after all other Inspected product was processed. The affected carcass was deemed custom exempt and not allowed to bear the mark of Inspection and the head was condemned. The affected carcass will be separated in the beef holding cooler and put on hold until it is processed as custom exempt. Dr. REDACTED discussed corrective actions with both the owner, REDACTED and plant manager, REDACTED most likely inexperienced employees need to be retrained about how to use the head gate and protocols if the head gate fails. Plant management will update when corrective actions have been performed. Dr. REDACTED let Mr. REDACTED and Mr. REDACTED know that a nonegregious humane handling noncompliance would be documented at 1430. This is a noncompliance of 9 CFR 313.2 (a).

313.15(a)(1),313.2(f)

On March 23rd, 2022 at approximately 0930, I, REDACTED CSI, noted the following noncompliance on the slaughter floor while doing a humane handling task at Detroit processing: A feral steer was guided into the kill box and the head was controlled by the headgate appropriately. The nose chain was unable to further secure the head due to the wild nature of the steer. The employee had two captive bolts ready, with the 22-gage backup gun right behind him. The steer was extremely agitated and the employee made the first captive bolt shot too low on the front of the head causing the steer remain conscious (standing, blinking, continued trying to escape the head gate). The employee immediately took the second pre-loaded captive bolt and shot the steer again, too low, and the steer remained standing and conscious. The employee immediately grabbed the 22-gage shot gun made a third shot which rendered the steer completely unconscious at that point in time. The entire process was about 20-30 seconds without USDA intervention due to the establishment’s quick response to the situation. After the steer was completely bled, I placed a reject tag on the knock box (tag # B39172449) and called my supervisor, Dr. REDACTED for further instruction. The establishment does follow a Robust Systematic Approach in humane handling without a previous history of egregious violations. This is a noncompliance of 313.15(a)(1). I notified Mr. REDACTED of the noncompliance at 0945 and that slaughter could not continue until further instruction from the district office.

313.1

On January 6th, 2022 at approximately 1400, I, Dr. REDACTED SPHV, noted the following noncompliance in Pen #2 at Detroit Processing: There was a large crack with a triangular piece of concrete missing, which was not an issue at last inspection of the pen. There were no animals present in the pen at the time, so I walked into the pen to show Mr. REDACTED plant manager, my concerns. The piece of affected concrete was unstable and moveable when either myself or Mr. REDACTED put any weight on it. Below this area of concrete was a large hole with nothing to support it from the bottom. I had concerns of having a much heavier animal, like a cow or pig, standing on this piece of concrete and it giving way to cause egregious harm to the animal, or anyone standing nearby. Because of this, I rejected Pen #2 to prevent any animals from being able to enter, until it can be appropriately fixed. This is a noncompliance of 9 CFR 313.1 (a) and (b). I notified Mr. REDACTED that a noncompliance would be documented at 1430, and placed a reject tag #B39172464 on Pen #2. Mr. REDACTED would notify the owner, Mr. REDACTED and will not allow animals to move into pen #2 until it is corrected by the establishment and approved by USDA officials.