FPL Food: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

At approximately 0517 February 28,2023, I observed the following noncompliance at establishment M332, FPL Food, LLC during Ante Mortem Inspection: A Holstein cow was alone in Pen 0. I ante mortem condemned her under 9CFR 309.4 as ineligible for slaughter as she was in the process of dying. An establishment employee got the captive bolt guns and went into the pen to knock the cow. I observed that it took multiple stuns to render the cow unconscious. On postmortem examination three distinct points of entry were observed in the cow’s skull. I tagged off the knock box with US Reject/Retain tag # B39310386 and notified Supervisor REDACTED of the noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1).

313.2

9CFR 313.2 Handling of Livestock (e) All animals shall have access to water in all holding pens... At approximately 0550 February 15,2023, at M332 FPL Food, LLC I observed the following noncompliance during Ante Mortem inspection: There was no water in the trough that services holding pen 16. The sides of the trough were completely dry and there was only cattle feces at the bottom of the trough. There was no water. There was an entire shipment of Chatel Fed cattle in Pen 16. The cattle in Pen 16 were placed in the main Holding Pen where there was water. I took regulatory control and tagged the gate of Pen 16 with US Reject/Retain tag #B-45680918. I requested a supervisor and Mr. REDACTED, FPL Barn Manager, came out and tried unsuccessfully to get the water line to run. He called for maintenance employees and they were able to get the water line to work and the trough filled with water. I removed the tag from the gate of Pen 16. When I asked for a corrective measure, he said he would consult with FPL HAACP director REDACTED for measures. This is a noncompliance of 9CFR 313.2(e) as the animals in Pen 16 had no access to water in their holding pen.

313.1

9CFR 313.1 Livestock pens, driveways and ramps. (a) Livestock pens, driveways and ramps shall be maintained in good repair. They shall be free from sharp or protruding objects which may, in the opinion of the inspector, cause injury or pain to the animals. At approximately 0555 this morning, at M332 FPL Food, during AnteMortem inspection, the following noncompliance was observed: An open box of Decker’s Hog Rings was on the floor of Pen 0 with approximately 20 open rings scattered on the floor. A Charlais Bull was lying down in the pen less than a foot from the scattered rings. These rings are C-shaped pliable metal with extremely sharp points on each end designed to pierce the skin and cartilage of a bovine’s ear to attach a tag to the animal. The bull was lying close enough to the rings that he could have easily swallowed them, lain on them, or got them stuck in his hooves or legs which may have caused injury and pain to him. I immediately notified REDACTED, FPL Food’s Barn Manager, and he had an employee remove the rings and box from the pen. He did not offer a corrective action to prevent reoccurrence when I asked for one. M332 FPL Food was noncompliant with 9CFR 313.1 (a) as the pen contained sharp objects the bull had ready access to.