Island Grown Farmers Cooperative: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 11:00 am May 24, 2023, while observing stunning of a lamb with a handheld captive bolt (HHCB) IPP observed the following non-compliance. An establishment employee was attempting to stun a lamb when I observed the first ineffective stun attempt contact the head of the animal. The animal remained standing and did not visibly react to stun attempt; there was no movement or vocalization. The stun operator grabbed the back-up HHCB device and promptly delivered a second effective stun to the animal, which immediately rendered the animal insensible, and the animal dropped to the ground. The lamb remained unconscious throughout the shackling, hoisting, and bleeding process. A regulatory control action was not taken due to the observation of immediate corrective action. IPP informed the Plant Manager of the non-compliance, and a written report would be issued. The Denver District Office was contacted through supervisory channels. There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause in the past 90 days. The establishment operates under a robust systematic approach to humane handling of livestock. Upon review of the dressed head, IPP observed the first stun off-center above the eyeball and the second stun at the top of the head.

313.16(a)(1),313.16(b)(1)(iii)

"At approximately 10:00 am while IPP was observing stunning of a steer. An establishment employee attempted to stun the animal with a 22 mag Ruger rifle, while the animal was loaded into a small stock trailer standing facing the back end of the trailer. The establishment stun operator aimed the firearm at the steer’s head to apply the first stun attempt. The animal remained standing and did not vocalize. The stun operator immediately aimed the firearm again and delivered a second ineffective stun attempt. The steer continued to remain standing and moving around inside the trailer. The stun operator aimed the firearm again and applied a third ineffective stun attempt. The steer remained standing and moved around in circles, then stopped, and immediately a fourth effective stun attempt was applied, and the animal dropped down to the trailer floor. IPP verified the animal was not displaying any signs of consciousness or sensibility. IPP verbally informed the establishment butcher that a humane handling non-compliance record would be issued and US Reject tag #B39950167 was applied to the trailer’s door. IPP notified her supervisor and then Denver District office was contacted through supervisory channels. Upon review of the dressed head four penetrating stun holes were observed. This establishment has not implemented a Robust Systematic Approach to Humane Handling.”