Bluegrass Lamb Company, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.2

HATS Category III- “Water and Feed Availability” On Tuesday June 13, 2023, at 0700 hours, while performing Ante-Mortem Inspection at Bluegrass Lamb Co. I, CSI REDACTED observed the following non-compliance: the establishment was holding 9 lambs in Pen # 1, IPP observed that water was not accessible to livestock in the before mentioned holding pen. The black 10-liter plastic bucket inside the pen was empty and no access to other water source was observed. At the time of my observations no member of management was present at the plant, I informed the non-compliance to employee REDACTED who was performing his duties in the same area. Mr. REDACTED refilled the water bucket and checked water availability on the other holding pens. Later, at approximately 10:30 am when the establishment owner REDACTED arrived, I informed her of the non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2 (e) and the issuance of this non-compliance report.

313.2

HATS category III: water and feed availability At approximately 0815 hrs. while performing the Livestock Humane Handling task at Bluegrass Lamb Co. (M47248) Glendale, KY, I, CSI REDACTED observed in Pen 5 there were 8 lambs with a frozen bucket of water in the pen. The water was frozen solid not allowing the lambs to drink water. Establishment slaughter personnel was notified of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e), and he placed a full bucket of water in the pen for the lambs. Mrs. REDACTED, owner was called per Establishment phone call protocol, when plant owner is not at the plant, to be notified of the noncompliance and of this NR.

313.2

HATS category I: Adequate measures for inclement weather While performing the Livestock Humane Handling task at Bluegrass Lamb Co. (M47248) Glendale, KY, Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (SVMO) REDACTED, DVM made the following observations in the holding pens of the establishment at approximately 0815 hrs. EST: 8 lambs, held overnight and presented for USDA inspection in holding pen 5, were found with a dusting of snow accumulation across their backs and heads and showing signs of physical distress (shivering). While the holding pen area is covered with a roof, all holding pens, including the pen with the 8 lambs, were observed with snow accumulation. The ambient temperature for the Glendale/Elizabethtown, Ky area at the time was -7 F with a -23 F windchill. HACCP Coordinator/Management Contact REDACTED was notified of these observations and of the non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(a).

313.1

HATS category IV: Ante-mortem Inspection While performing the Livestock Humane Handling task at Bluegrass Lamb Co. (M47248) Glendale, KY, Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer REDACTED, DVM made the following observations in the holding pens of the establishment at approximately 1400 hrs. EST: · Pen #5 holding two lambs was found with a wire from the livestock panels used in the construction of the pen, protruding into the lower portion of the pen; the potential exists for injury to the animals. Pen #5 was verbally rejected, and establishment personnel instructed to move the animals to another holding pen. · The wire panel on the gate of pen #2 was found with broken welds thereby causing the ends of the wire panel to bow and be exposed; the presence of wool on the exposed ends supports the potential for injury to animals. · The wire livestock panel between pen #1 and pen #2 and near the rear aspect of the pen was found with a section of wire missing thereby creating an unnecessary opening in which an animal could potentially become entrapped; a lamb in pen #2 was observed to repeatedly place its head through the opening. Pen #1 and pen #2 were verbally rejected, and establishment personnel instructed to move the animals to another pen. · At the end of the alleyway near pen #3, the wire panel was found with a missing section of wire thereby creating an unnecessary opening in which an animal could potentially become entrapped; the outward bending of the wire and the presence of wool on the end of the board near the opening supports the potential for animal injury. Establishment owner REDACTED was informed of the above observations and forthcoming documentation of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.1(a).

313.1,313.2

HATS category VII: Slips and Falls While performing the Livestock Humane Handling task at Bluegrass Lamb Co. (M47248) Glendale, KY Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (SVMO) REDACTED, DVM made the following observation at approximately 0830 hrs. EDT on the kill floor: A large lamb was observed entering the kill floor at a rapid pace; establishment personnel attempted to restrain the animal upon entrance, but due to the rapidity at which it entered, the lamb overshot the rubber mats on the floor, the lamb fell on the slick floor, and establishment personnel fell on top of the lamb. The lamb was then moved to the area in which the ritual cut was performed, and the lamb rendered insensible. A second large lamb likewise entered the kill floor at a rapid pace, overshot the rubber mats, and fell on the slick floor while establishment personnel attempted to restrain, and establishment personnel again fell on top of the lamb. The lamb was then moved to the area of the ritual cut, and the lamb was rendered insensible. U. S. Rejected tag # B45-614327 was placed on the kill floor door and management representative REDACTED was notified of the above observation, regulatory control action, and the forthcoming documentation of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.1(b) and 9 CFR 313.2(a). At approximately 1100 hrs. EDT establishment management proffered the following corrective action: A larger rubber mat was placed at the kill floor entrance and the animals confined to that area by the placement of inedible barrels and establishment personnel. IPP observed 5 lambs enter the kill floor; footing was determined to be satisfactory at that time and the regulatory control action removed.