Palmetto Fresh Meats: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

On 03/22/22 at approximately 0930 while observing for stunning effectiveness, IPP observed a miss stun by establishment personnel using a hand-held captive bolt (HHCB) stunner on a heifer. The animal was not rendered unconscious. Immediately, a second stun was administered with the second HHCB rendering the animal unconscious. Mr. REDACTED, Plant Manager was notified of the noncompliance. This is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1).

313.15(a)(1),313.2

On March 15, 2022, at approximately 1450 hours Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) observed as establishment personnel began the process of moving a steer from holding pen number 1 to the stunning chute. IPP observed the steer enter the stun chute walking normally, but before the rear enclosure gate could be secured, the steer backed out of the chute back into the entrance hallway near the holding pen(s) and was overly excited. Approximately 30-40 minutes later IPP observed the steer limping into the stunning chute where it was restrained for stunning. The first stun, with a hand-held captive bolt (HHCB) was applied but it did not render the steer unconscious. The steer remained standing, vocalized, and had tracking eye movement. A second stun was applied with a HHCB but it did not render the steer unconscious and the steer remained standing. Immediately a third stun was applied with a HHCB rendering steer unconsciousness. During post-mortem inspection, IPP observed three distinct points of entry in the skull of the steer. IPP applied U.S. Rejected Tag # B37776815 to the kill chute. Mr. REDACTED, Manager, was notified.

313.15(a)(1),313.15(a)(3)

At approximately 0940 hours I, REDACTED, CSI at establishment M47715 observed a steer as it was moved into the stunning chute. When the animal placed its head into the head restraint it did not close properly and the steer pulled its head back into the chute, leaving the animals head free for movement. After the steer calmed down an employee reached inside the bars of the stunning chute to stun the animal with a captive bolt pistol using a 3.5 grain shell. When the captive bolt was discharged, the animal fell down inside the chute, the employee reached inside the chute and cut the throat to bleed the animal. The steer then stood up on its front legs in the chute with clear eye movement, bleeding, and making a gurgling sound. The steer then fell on the floor after it bled out. The stunning chute was tagged with US Retained tag #B37776814 and management was notified. This is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.15 a(1) and 313.15 a(3).

313.1,313.2

On 02/17/22, at approximately 0900 hours, IPP observed the following non-compliance while performing HATS Chapter IV – Category VII – Slips and Falls verification and Category VI – Electric/Prod/Alternative Object use HUMANE HANDLING AND SLAUGHTER OF LIVESTOCK. A heifer was being moved from a holding pen to the stunning chute. Before the heifer reached the stunning chute this animal slipped and fell in an alleyway. One leg was wedged in between a welded alleyway restraint bar and her head was stuck under her leg. Moments later an employee was able to push the leg back inside the bar which also freed the head as the heifer was able to stand. During this time the animal was overly excited and would not enter the stunning chute. Establishment employees were able to get this animal back into a holding pen to calm it down. Not before the door in the alleyway was damaged. It is the establishment’s responsibility to provide adequate footing in livestock facility to prevent animals from slipping and falling as they are handled and moved through the livestock facility 9 CFR 313.1(b) and to drive livestock from the unloading ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area with a minimum of excitement 9 CFR 313.2(a). I notified Mr. REDACTED, Manager.

313.15(a)(1)

I, REDACTED, CSI, observed the following non-compliance(s) while performing HATS Chapter IV - Category VIII – Stunning Effectiveness: On 01/19/2022 at approximately 0900 hours, a captive bolt pistol using 3.5 grain (227 mg) cartridges was used to stun a hog. The first stun was ineffective as the hog remained conscious standing upright, moving freely, and squealing/grunting. An employee entered the stunning pen and administered a second stun which rendered the animal unconscious as it fell to the floor. Soon after the hog was stuck and bled out before being shackled and placed into the scalding (dehairing) tank. On the head I observed the first stunning entrance point and it appeared to be in the desired location. The second entrance was applied a fraction of an inch above. On 01/19/2022 at approximately 1410 hours another hog was stunned twice. Following the first stun the hog remained conscious, moving freely, and squealing. An employee entered the stunning pen and administered a second shot rendering the hog unconscious. On the head I observed both stunning locations and it is evident that the first one was off the mark just over from the left eye. The second one was administered at the desired location. An employee stated that the hog moved his head before applying the first stun. The hog was stuck and bled right away. It is the establishments responsibility to adequately restrain the animal. This establishment does not have a SYSTMATIC APPROACH TO HUMANE HANDLING AND SLAUGHTER (SYSTEMATIC APPROACH) IN A WRITTEN ANIMAL HANDLING PROGRAM. It was determined that the event(s) was a discrete, rare failure to render livestock insensible (or unconscious) by a single stun and that the establishment promptly and effectively corrected the noncompliance(s). I followed 9 CFR 313.50 and informed establishment owners of the non-compliance with the issuance of this non-compliance record. I informed the establishment operator of the incident and requested that the operator take the necessary steps to prevent a recurrence. In addition, I notified my FLS and Mr. REDACTED, DVM, Human Handling.