GW BEEF COMPANY LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.2

At approximately 0630 hours while performing Ante Mortem inspection, I observed ~30 cattle within the alleyway and within pen # 203. There was a water trough northside of pen # 203. This provides limited space and limited access to the water trough. Due to the large number of cattle within the pen of such small space, these cattle are unable to get to the water trough when needed. When this incident was brought to the attention of plant management, REDACTED, pen worker decided to open another gate to give better access to a water trough. I immediately notified REDACTED, Kill floor supervisor of the forthcoming of a noncompliance. A similar issue has been brought up prior concerning having cattle inside the alleyway without any access to water. Please be sure to follow all federal regulations according to 9 CFR 313.2(e), which states, “animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. There shall be sufficient room in the holding pen for animals held overnight to lie down”. This noncompliance will be linked to NR# WBA5206073917/1N dated for July 17, 2023. Continued failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in additional regulatory or administrative action.

313.2

At approximately 0615 hours, 18th of July 2023, I, Relief SPHV REDACTED observed the following while performing humane handling task: There are 12 heads of cattle in the middle alley serving as holding pen with no access to water. I notified pen worker REDACTED and slaughter supervisor REDACTED of the aforementioned 9CFR313.2(e) non-compliance. The gate is opened to give access to trough of water.

313.2

While performing Ante Mortem at GW Beef Company at approximately 0630 hours on Monday, July 17, 2023 I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following instances of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e). While performing Ante Mortem I observed approximately thirty cattle located inside the alleyway without any access to water. Upon my observation I notified Kill Floor Supervisor REDACTED of my findings and asked approximately how long the cattle have been stationed inside that area. He stated he was uncertain however he did not think it was over 24 hours. I notified him a noncompliance would follow under the following regulation 9 CFR 313.2(e). The regulation 9 CFR 312.2 (e) states Under this category, IPP record their verification of the establishment’s compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e), which requires that water be available to livestock in all holding pens, and that animals held longer than 24 hours have access to feed. No other similar instances of non-compliance have been documented for the same root cause within the past 90 days. This document serves as a written notification that your failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in additional regulatory or administrative action.

313.2

At approximately 0700 hours, 13th of April 2023, I, CSI REDACTED observed the following while performing livestock humane handling task with Relief SPHV REDACTED: Pen number 203 with 13 number of cattle has empty drinking vat. Water is not accessible to livestock in pen 203. This is non-compliance of 9CFR313.2(e). Pen attendant REDACTED is notified of the non-compliance. REDACTED promptly filled up the drinking vat with drinking water. Mr. REDACTED is also notified that an NR will be issued.

313.2,313.15(a)(1)

On Thursday, November 10 at approximately 1030, at Harker Meats Establishment in Washington Oklahoma, while observing ante mortem, I observed the following instance. While conducting my daily HATS task I observed plant employees attempting to move a cow from the pen 101 to inside the cattle alleyway. The establishment had issues with that cow for approximately two days to due to his large horns and stubbornness. For a few minutes I observed a plant employee humanely use the electric shock and other tactics move the cow but were unsuccessful. At approximately 1040 I then left the pen area onto the slaughter floor to continue production. At approximately 1055 as I was walking from the slaughter floor towards the pen area, I was told they were able to move the cow from the pen to the cattle walkway. As I stepped outside, I observed the cattle inside the cattle alleyway, but it showed signs of its horns being removed. As I step closer to get a better observation, I observed approximately 3/4 of its horn removed and blood was present where the horn had been cut along with an employee holding an electric saw. At 11 the plant went to lunch and at approximately 1105 I went onto the pre kill floor it observed a cow had not been slaughtered, but was still inside the shoot, waiting to be knocked until they came back from lunch. This could possibly be a sign of egregious inhumane handling. The establishment failed to meet regulations 9 CFR 313.2, 313.50(B), and 313.15(2). FSQA Manager REDACTED was notified a noncompliance would be given.