One World Beef Packers: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the One World Beef Packers slaughterhouse establishment in 2022.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2022.
313.1,313.15(a)(2),313.2
On March 7, 2022, FSIS initiated an investigation into allegations of inhumane handling of animals destined for slaughter for human food, depicted in a covertly captured video recorded at OWB Packers LLC in Brawley, California. The establishment management confirmed that the establishment was in fact, the facility identified on the video, and that the individuals observed in the video conducting these acts of inhumane handling, were in fact establishment employees After a thorough evaluation of the video footage, FSIS determined that these incidents constitute regulatory noncompliance with humane handling and slaughter of livestock regulations, 9 CFR Part 313 and notified the President and Vice President of the establishment. FSIS observed and documented the following violations: FSIS observed in the video that the establishment violated the regulation of Title 9 CFR 313.1(b), which states, “Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock.” The video depicts cattle being unloaded from a trailer, and a cow slipped and fell to its knees while climbing up the lower-level trailer floor ramp. The trailer ramp is not being maintained to ensure good footing for livestock. (9:00 minute mark) FSIS observed in the video that the establishment violated the regulation of Title 9 CFR 313.2(b), which states, “Electric prods, canvas slappers, or other implements employed to drive animals shall be used as little as possible in order to minimize excitement and injury.” The video depicts a cow that has fallen down in the serpentine, and an individual wearing a blue helmet is shown excessively using an electric prod on the cow in an effort to force the animal to rise. However, the animal is unable to regain its footing due to its position in the narrow alley. The employee continues to repeatedly prod this animal though it showed inability to rise and ambulate. (9:23 minute mark) FSIS observed in the video that the establishment violated the regulation of Title 9 CFR 313.2(a), which states, “Driving of livestock from the unloading ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals.” The video depicts a severely lame cow at the top of the serpentine that is entering the slaughter lineup. (9:29 minute mark) FSIS observed in the video that the establishment violated the regulation of Title 9 CFR 313.15(a)(2), which states, “The driving of the animals to the stunning area shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Delivery of calm animals to the stunning areas is essential since accurate placement of stunning equipment is difficult on nervous or injured animals.” The video depicts an animal that was briefly shackled on the right hind limb stand up after landing on the conveyor belt. This demonstrates the cow was not effectively stunned before being released from the center-track restrainer. (10:08 minute mark) These noncompliances resulted in a Notice of Intended Enforcement (NOIE) issued to the establishment on March 7, 2022.
