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

313.16(a)(1)

On 7/12/22 at approximately 0645 hours while observing HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness of the Humane Handling Verification Task at Shriver Meats (M-10800), I, Dr. REDACTED observed the following humane handling (HH) noncompliance. The 1st animal to be stunned for the day, a Longhorn heifer, was in the back pen of the holding area by itself.  I was still in the USDA office speaking with the CSI when the establishment employee took the first shot attempt with the 0.22 magnum caliber rifle.  I heard the shot and immediately proceeded to the barn.  The first shot was deemed unsuccessful by the employee.  When I arrived, I briefly saw the animal sitting in dorsal recumbency with its head erect and leaning against the fence railing.  I could not visualize any other signs of consciousness due to the significant distance and visual obstructions, as well as the employee immediately warning me of a second impending shot as I entered the area.  No vocalization was heard. The employee followed their written robust systematic approach (RSA) to humane handling and applied a second shot, which was effective at rendering the animal unconscious prior to shackling, hoisting, sticking, and bleeding. After the head was removed and skinned, it was observed there were two (2) holes in the cranium; the first was very low, between the lower portion of the eyes and approximately 1.25” to the left of midline.  The second hole was more accurately placed in the “X” between the eyes and poll and approximately 1.0” to the right of midline, but close enough to be effective. I contacted DVMS, Dr. REDACTED.  Upon further discussion, we determined the establishment followed their RSA.  Therefore, it was agreed that the incident would be considered a non-egregious HH non-compliance. Due to the on-going, repetitive nature of inaccurate shots, even from experienced employees, regardless of the device utilized, FSIS reminds the establishment that according to 9 CFR 313.16 (a)(1), “The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut.  The animal shall be shot in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.” Furthermore, Dr. REDACTED contacted Mr. REDACTED by email on 7/6/2022 to extend the offer of performing a Livestock HH Outreach visit in order to evaluate their current overall HH procedures and help the establishment in determining longer-term solutions to improve stunning accuracy and reduce the need for multiple stuns in order to remain in compliance.  As of the date of this non-compliance, Dr. REDACTED had not received a reply.  If additional Livestock HH non-compliances occur for a similar cause, the Agency may be forced to take further regulatory control action. Mr. REDACTED was verbally notified and is hereby notified in writing of this repeat Livestock Humane Handling non-compliance, which will be linked to others for similar cause.

313.16(a)(1)

On 6/14/22 at approximately 0653 hours while observing HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness of the Humane Handling Verification Task at Shriver Meats (M-10800), I, Dr. REDACTED observed the following humane handling (HH) noncompliance. The 3rd animal to be stunned for the day, a less than 30-month, black market heifer walked into the knock box and thrashed around a bit, attempting to gain footing on the sloped knock box floor. The establishment employee took the first shot attempt with the 0.22 magnum caliber rifle while the animal was in a dog sitting position.  The first shot was unsuccessful with the animal’s head remaining upright, eyes fully alert and tracking movement.  No vocalization was heard. The employee followed their written robust systematic approach (RSA) to humane handling and applied a second shot, which was also ineffective.  The animal remained in a dog sitting position with head erect, neck moving side-to-side, and eyes tracking movement while blood flowed from the head onto the floor of the knock box. The employee continued to follow their RSA, reloaded the weapon again, and applied a 3rd shot; this time effective at rendering the animal unconscious prior to shackling, hoisting, sticking, and bleeding. After the head was removed and skinned, it was observed there were three (3) holes in the cranium; the first two nearly atop one another and approximately 1.0” to the right of midline.  The third hole was directly on midline and approximately 1.25” higher than the first. I took regulatory control action by placing US Retain tag #: B30289478 on the knock box and contacting DVMS, Dr. REDACTED.  Upon further discussion, we determined that even though three (3) shots were taken, the establishment followed their RSA and applied the shots in succession.  Therefore, it was agreed that the incident would be considered a non-egregious HH non-compliance, but due to the repetitive nature, only if the establishment could provide an adequate preventative response for improved shot accuracy could the tag be removed. I discussed with Mr. REDACTED the on-going nature of inaccurate shots, even from experienced employees, regardless of the device utilized, and reminded him that according to 9 CFR 313.16 (a)(1), “The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut.  The animal shall be shot in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.” As a preventative measure for today, Mr. REDACTED agreed to take as much time as necessary to achieve accurate first shot placement.  I agreed that this was a plausible short-term solution and that FSIS would continue to closely monitor the slaughter procedure for compliance.  I then relinquished regulatory control action by removing the US Retain tag at 0736 hours. Furthermore, I discussed with Mr. REDACTED that a prudent establishment would evaluate their current overall Livestock Humane Handling procedures and determine longer-term solutions to improve stunning accuracy and reduce the need for multiple stuns in order to remain in compliance.  If additional Livestock HH non-compliances occur for a similar cause, the Agency may be forced to take further regulatory control action. Mr. REDACTED was verbally notified and is hereby notified in writing of this repeat Livestock Humane Handling non-compliance, which will be linked to others for similar cause.

313.15(a)(1)

On 6/7/22 at approximately 0655 hours while observing HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness of the Humane Handling Verification Task at Shriver Meats (M-10800), I, Dr. REDACTED observed the following humane handling (HH) noncompliance. The 3rd animal to be stunned for the day, a black, white-faced steer walked into the knock box and thrashed around a bit, attempting to gain footing on the sloped knock box floor. The establishment employee took the first knock with the Cash non-penetrating captive bolt device while the animal was in a dog sitting position.  The first knock was unsuccessful with the animal’s head remaining upright, eyes fully alert and tracking movement.  No vocalization was heard.  The employee followed their written robust systematic approach (RSA) to humane handling and switched to the 0.22 magnum caliber rifle and applied a second, effective stun which rendered the animal unconscious prior to shackling, hoisting, sticking, and bleeding. After the head was removed and skinned, it was observed there were two (2) holes in the cranium; the first, a larger hole resulting from the non-penetrating device that was approximately 1.5” to the right of midline.  The second hole was smaller in diameter resulting from the rifle shot and approximately 1.5” higher than the first and on the midline of the skull. Upon review of the establishment’s RSA records, between today and the previous Livestock Humane Handling NR#SBN2308041319N and separate Livestock Humane Handling MOI, both on 4/19/2022, it was noted by the establishment on 5/24/2022 that another animal required a second stun due to a misplaced first shot and ineffective first stun. Taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with regulation 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states: "The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort." Mr. REDACTED was verbally notified and is hereby notified in writing of this repeat Livestock Humane Handling non-compliance, which will be linked to others for similar cause.

313.15(a)(1)

On 4/19/22 at approximately 0719 hours while observing HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness of the Humane Handling Verification Task at Shriver Meats, I, Dr. REDACTED and mentee Dr. REDACTED observed the following humane handling noncompliance. A black Angus heifer walked gently into the knock box. The establishment employee took the first knock with the non-penetrating captive bolt device while the animal was calm and in dorsal recumbency.  The first knock was unsuccessful with the animal’s head remaining upright and alert.  The employee followed their written robust systematic approach to humane handling and immediately reloaded the non-penetrating captive bolt device and applied a second, effective stun which rendered the animal unconscious prior to shackling, hoisting, sticking, and bleeding. After the head was removed and skinned, it was noticed there were two (2) slight indentations, neither of which cracked the cranium, both placed correctly, one on top of another, in the center of the skull. Taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with regulation 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states: "The captive bolt shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal with a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort." Mr. REDACTED was verbally notified at approximately 0730 hours and is hereby notified in writing of this Livestock Humane Handling non-compliance.