Carlton Packing Company: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.2

On Thursday, July 6, 2023, at approximately 0615 hours, FI REDACTED was conducting an Ante Mortem Humane Handling task and informed SCSI REDACTED that there was no evidence of feed being supplied to the hogs that were left over from the previous days kill. SCSI REDACTED immediately went into the barn and inspected all of the pen's interior and exterior perimeter for signs of feed and observed none. SCSI REDACTED returned to the USDA office and confirmed the number of hogs held over from the previous days kill to be 146 from REDACTED. At approximately 0700 hours SCSI REDACTED asked QC Supervisor REDACTED for the Livestock Feed Record. Mr. REDACTED stated that the record was kept in the Slaughter Department office. Slaughter Floor Supervisor REDACTED was asked if he had the Feed log or if he knew if the hogs had been fed the day before. Mr. REDACTED stated he did not feed the hogs the day before and did not know the whereabouts of the Feed log. SCSI REDACTED spoke with 2nd Slaughter Floor Supervisor REDACTED about the feed log and asked him if he knew where it was located or if he had any knowledge if the hogs had been fed. Mr. REDACTED responded “No” to both questions and stated he would inquire about this matter. The establishment’s Humane Handling Program has written procedures to ensure that water and feed are provided to livestock which are held overnight from the previous days kill. 9 CFR 313.2(e) states, “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed.” The establishment responded to non-compliance YQB06090228 (linked to YQB4909011505) stating, “A running log is maintained in the QA office documenting the feeding of the hogs with how many bags were fed as well as how many bags remain. This information can be made available by request.” SCSI REDACTED was not able to confirm that the hogs had been fed and informed Mr. REDACTED that a non-compliance would be issued unless the log was proffered. Review of non-compliances showed no same cause reports issued within the last 90 days.

313.2

On Thursday, February 16th, 2023, I, CSI REDACTED was made aware of the following non-compliance. At 0605 hours, SPHV Dr. REDACTED and FI REDACTED preformed ante-mortem inspection on hogs at Carlton Farms. While viewing the hogs from REDACTED (which had been held for over 24 hours), they noted that the pigs did not appear to have been fed. This was the second consecutive day that Dr. REDACTED noted that pigs held for over 24 hours did not appear to have been fed. The establishment was provided due process in correcting this issue as no NR was issued for the first incident, and Establishment Administrator REDACTED was notified of the issue via email on Wednesday, February 15th. 9CFR 313.2 (e) states that “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed”, Therefore, the above-described finding demonstrates non-compliance. Dr. REDACTED notified REDACTED via email that these findings would be documented in a NR. Review of establishment records showed 1 similar NR issued on 1/5/2023 for failure to provide water to hogs. (YQB4909011505N-1) The decision to associate this NR was made to document a potential trend in non-compliance. Failure to correct this issue may result in further enforcement action.

313.1,313.2

On Thursday, January 5th, 2023, at approximately 0730 hours, I, CSI REDACTED preformed a PHIS Routine Humane Handling task in the holding pens at Carlton Farms. While verifying HATS category III (water and feed availability) I found that the automatic watering nipples were not functioning in pens 10, 11, and 12. I Subsequently checked pens 16 and 17, as these pens contained hogs, and noted that none of the watering nipples were functioning. I immediately called establishment administrator REDACTED (REDACTED and notified him of my finding. REDACTED met me in the pens shortly thereafter and stated that the watering system had been damaged by freezing weather during the previous week. He made immediate corrective actions by placing containers of water in each pen containing hogs. This condition demonstrated non-compliance with 9CFR 313.2 (e), which states that animals shall have access to water in all holding pens In addition to the above-described finding, FI REDACTED reported this morning that during her ante-mortem inspection, there was a larger than usual buildup of fecal material in the holding pens. SCSI REDACTED also stated that he noticed a larger than usual amount of fecal build-up in the pens throughout the week, and specifically mentioned pen 19. He stated that this pen has contained buildup of fecal matter since Tuesday, January 3rd.Today, SCSI REDACTED followed up on the conditions he observed on Tuesday to see if the pens had been cleaned. He found that they had not, and while observing, he saw a hog slip while moving from the alley way into pen 17. I had a discussion with Establishment Administrator REDACTED, who stated that these pens are supposed to be cleaned daily by the nighttime sanitation crew. The buildup of fecal material and hog subsequently slipping indicate that the pens are not being maintained to provide good footing for livestock. 9CFR 313.1 (b) states that floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock. I notified REDACTED of the forthcoming non-compliance report. Review of establishment non-compliance records did not show any same cause NRs issued within the last 90 days.

313.30 (a)(2),313.2

HATS Category VI: Electric Prod/Alternate Object Use On Monday December 12, 2022 at approximately 1215 hours, CSI REDACTED was performing a routine humane handling verification task on the slaughter floor. While observing the stunning and bleeding operations, CSI REDACTED heard a plant employee yelling, hogs vocalizing, and several thuds that sounded like rattle paddle impacts coming from the barn. CSI REDACTED walked outside to the holding pens and observed a plant employee using a rattle paddle to move hogs to the stunning area. The plant employee lifted the rattle paddle over their head and brought it down vigorously several times on the rump area of three hogs that were bunched together. A fourth hog was turned the wrong way in the chute, blocking the three hogs from moving forward, and vocalizing. CSI REDACTED also observed the plant employee pushing the hogs forward with their knees in between uses of the rattle paddle. CSI REDACTED stopped the plant employee’s attempt to move the hogs forward and notified them that this was not an acceptable method of moving the hogs. After verifying the plant employee had stopped the excessive rattle paddle use, the CSI looked for a plant supervisor to notify of the situation. The plant supervisor stopped production and sent another plant employee to the barn to assist with moving hogs. CSI REDACTED then returned to the barn to monitor the plant’s immediate corrective actions and verified the rattle paddle was being used appropriately. A regulatory control action was not taken due to the immediate cessation of excessive rattle paddle use after the CSI intervened. CSI REDACTED verbally notified Establishment Administrator REDACTED of the forthcoming noncompliance report at 0920 hours. These observations were noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.2(a), 313.2(b), and 313.30(a)(2). A review of the noncompliance history revealed no NRs issued for the same root cause in the previous 90 days. The establishment operates under a Robust Systematic Approach to Livestock Humane Handling.