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

313.2

HATS III: Water/Feed, Stocking Density On November 3, 2021 at approximately 6:25am, I, CSI REDACTED accompanied by a plant employee REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance while conducting an antemortem inspection. At the start of antemortem inspection prior to slaughter, I observed 7 lambs inside a pen that was approximately 4.5 by 9 feet next to the no-longer-functioning wooden chute. The lambs were all standing inside the pen, were crowded in the pen and could not lie down. I asked REDACTED to move the lambs to the loading area so I could perform antemortem inspection. I also asked the employee how long the lambs had been in the pen. REDACTED said the lambs were put into the pen on November 2, 2021 at approximately 1900 hours. I then asked REDACTED why the lambs were not in one of the larger pens that was empty. REDACTED told me that the empty pen was muddy, and they did not want the lambs covered in mud before they were slaughtered. I went and notified Mr. REDACTED Jr. that the animals were in too small of a pen for them to be able to lie down overnight. I also notified him of the noncompliance and that an NR would be issued. This is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.2 (e) which states in part: ...There shall be sufficient room in the holding pen for animals held overnight to lie down.