The Butcher Block: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1),313.2

At approximately 0725 hours while observing HATS Category III, Water and Feed Availability of the Humane Handling Verification Task at Farm 2 Table (M19252), I, Dr. REDACTED, observed the following humane handling (HH) noncompliance. I noticed that pen 2, containing 6 head of market swine and 1 custom roaster swine were without access to water. The pen has a watering system appropriate for swine, but no water was coming out when the mouthpiece was pressed. I verbally notified an establishment employee who noted the water valve was turned off and promptly turned it back on. I asked Manager REDACTED how long the animals had been in the pen, and he informed me they were there overnight, but were dropped off without any establishment employees present. Allowing animals to be without water for any period of time represents a noncompliance with regulation 9 CFR 313.2 (e) which states: “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.” Additionally, at approximately 0730 hours while observing HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness of the Humane Handling Verification Task, I observed the following HH noncompliance. The 1st animal to be stunned for the day, a Holstein cow, walked calmly into the knock box and the establishment locked its head in the head catch. The establishment employee took the first knock with the penetrating captive bolt device at the same time the animal moved its head. The first knock was unsuccessful, and the animal remained standing and vocalized. The establishment employee immediately reloaded the penetrating captive bolt device and applied a second knock to the animal which was fully successful in 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, a circular hole approximately 0.25” in diameter and approximately 1.25” to the left of midline[MMF1] in the frontal sinus; the second, another circular hole approximately 0.25” in diameter and approximately 1” above midline. The establishment does not have a robust systemic[MMF2] approach, however, there is a working systematic approach where the establishment employee is supposed to use the loaded 0.22 caliber rifle in the event the first knock is missed[MMF3] . During this event, the establishment employee failed to properly follow the establishment’s working systemic approach. 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 verbally provided me with preventative measures. Mr. REDACTED was verbally notified and is herby notified in writing of these Livestock Humane Handling non-compliances.