Vermont Packinghouse LLC: 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 Vermont Packinghouse LLC slaughterhouse establishment in 2022.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2022.
313.15(a)(1)
On Friday, January 7, 2022, at approximately 09:07 while performing the stunning effectiveness component of humane handling verification activities at Establishment M45029, CSI REDACTED observed the following humane handling Noncompliance. The sequence of events and stunning times were confirmed using the establishment’s security camera above the stun box. The establishment moved a beef steer into the stun box for stunning with a handheld captive bolt. The stun box was closed behind the animal and the animal’s head was placed within the restrictive brace to prevent movement of the head. After the first stunning attempt, CSI REDACTED observed the animal was not rendered unconscious, evidenced by the animal remaining standing, showing a reaction to its surrounding environment, becoming excited, and vocalizing. The same stunner took immediate corrective action by using the backup available captive bolt for a second stun attempt. The second attempt was made and afterward CSI REDACTED observed that the animal remained standing, showed a reaction, and continued to vocalize. At this time a different establishment employee intervened by reloading a captive bolt and making a third stun attempt. The third attempt was made and was effective in rendering the animal insensible and unconscious. CSI REDACTED took regulatory control of the stun box to halt slaughter operations. At the time of stunning, the backup captive bolt was immediately available in the stunning box area, and a backup stunning employee was also immediately available in the stunning area to reload and perform the effective stun without delay. REDACTED (plant manager) and REDACTED (Establishment Administrator and HACCP coordinator) were notified of the Noncompliance and the establishments failure to adhere to the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1). A postmortem examination of the animal’s skull showed that the first two attempts overlapped and appeared low, and that the third higher attempt was successful. This document serves as written notification that your failure to comply with regulatory requirement(s) could result in additional regulatory or administrative action.
