JBS Tolleson Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.1

HATS Category IV Ante-Mortem Inspection On 9/19/2023 while performing ante-mortem inspection on cattle from cattle pen 25 the following regulatory non-compliance was observed: At approximately 0628 hours when 32 head of beef steer were being presented it was noted that a steer had its head pinned underneath the bottom steel support fence bar. The animal was distressed, as it was kicking its rear leg and was unable to sit upright or free itself. The animal had increased respiration rate and frothy saliva coming from its mouth. The steel bar was pressing on top of the animal’s neck, and the steer was open mouth breathing. REDACTED (Cattle Pen Employee) immediately called on the two-way radio and informed REDACTED (Cattle Pen Employee) of the situation. Mr. REDACTED attempted to release and free the animal prior to REDACTED arrival, but he was not successful. At approximately 0637 hours Mr. REDACTED (Cattle Pen Employee) approached the distressed animal inside the pen with a gun carrier that contained two handheld knock guns and no bullets. Mr. REDACTED walked back out of the pen and stated that he was awaiting the bob cat. The animal was subsequently euthanized. REDACTED (Technical Service Manager) and REDACTED (Harvest Manager) were notified of the situation and that a non-compliance record (NR) would be documented. That the establishment held animals in pens with unnecessary openings where the head, feet, or legs or an animal may be injured represents non-compliance with 9 CFR 9 313.1(a).

313.1

HATS Category IV Ante-Mortem Inspection On 8/22/2023 at approximately 0533 hours while performing an Other Inspection Requirement task, I observed the following regulatory non-compliance: There was a rusty sharp metal edge at the gate’s holding pen next to the single file that leads to the restrainer/knock box. Additionally, inside the pen there were several sharp pointy metal pieces on the concrete floor that measured between 3 and 6 inches in length. I took regulatory control action and placed US Reject Tag B45494639 on the gate and informed REDACTED (Yards Supervisor) of the non-compliance and that a non-compliance record (NR) would be issued. That the establishment failed to maintain these areas where cattle are held or moved in good repair represents non-compliance with 313.1(a). A review of associated NRs for the past 90 days revealed 1 NR, NR ECD4317061709 (dated 6/09/2023) . The establishment’s “Robust Systematic Approach to Humane Handling” SOP, states in part that REDACTED.

313.2

HATS Category III Ante-Mortem Inspection On 8/02/2023 at approximately 0705 hrs. while performing Ante Mortem Livestock Inspection, I noted the following regulatory non-compliance: While the animals were being presented from pen 32 for my inspection, I observed that the water level in the water trough that holds cattle in pens 32 and 33 was just high enough to barely cover the bottom of the trough. There was a total of 32 animals in the pen and animals were slurping and licking whatever water they could from the bottom of the trough. I immediately took regulatory control action by placing US Reject Tags B45080020 and B45080176 on the two cattle pens. I also requested that the cattle be moved from pen 32 into another pen where drinking water was readily available. I informed REDACTED (Operation Manager) and REDACTED (Yards Supervisor) of the finding and that a non-compliance record (NR) would be issued. The establishment failed to meet the requirement of 9 CFR 313.2(e) “which requires that drinking water be made available to livestock in all holding pens. A review of associated NRs for the past 90 days revealed 1 NR, NR ECD5911061901 (dated 5/31/2023).

313.1

HATS Category IV Ante-Mortem Inspection On 6/9/2023 at approximately 0708 hrs while performing cattle Ante-Mortem (AM) inspections on the south side of the cattle pens, I noted the following regulatory non-compliance: On the alley gate that runs north to south (when closed) located on the south side of the pens in front of the scale there was a protruding sharp jagged metal edge evident on one end of the sliding metal bar that serves to latch the gate closed. The area of irregular sharp protruding metal was about one inch in diameter. Several bovine hairs were noted attached to this protruding sharp surface likely having come from animals that had previously rubbed against the sharp surface. At the time I noted the finding there were no animals in the alleyway. I placed U.S. Reject Tag B45080061 on the gate and I showed the sharp protruding end of the bar to REDACTED (Cattle Pen Supervisor). I informed him that a non-compliance record (NR) would be issued. In my presence maintenance personnel were summoned and the sharp protruding edge of the gate latch was cut off and the remaining margin was sanded to the point where it was flat and smooth. The establishment failed to meet the requirement of 9 CFR 313.1(a) which requires that "livestock pens, driveways and ramps shall be maintained in good repair. They shall be free from sharp or protruding objects....”.

313.2

On 5/31/2023 at approximately 1153 hrs while performing Ante-Mortem Livestock inspection on cattle in pen 18 (north side) I noted the following regulatory non-compliance: While the animals were being presented from pen 18 for inspection, I observed that the pen’s water trough was empty. There were a total of 33 animals in the pen. I immediately took regulatory control action and asked the responsible employee to place the cattle into another pen where water was available. Reviewing establishment records I noted that the cattle had arrived at 1029 hrs. I placed U.S. Reject Tag B45080295 on the pen. I showed REDACTED (Cattle Pen Supervisor) my findings and informed him that a non-compliance record (NR) would be issued. The establishment failed to meet the requirement of 9 CFR 313.2(e) “which requires that water is available to livestock in all holding pens”.

313.2

HATS VI: Excessive Prod Use On February 23, 2023, at approximately 1535 hours while CSI REDACTED and I were observing how the cattle were handled as they moved in the single file to the entrance of the knock-box the following non-compliances were noted: There were three establishment employees using air injection prods on cattle as the animals were being driven to the entrance of the knock box. The prods were repeatedly being used on seven consecutive animals with no assessment whether the animals would move on their own (in the absence of prodding) towards the knock box. The animals were moving in a forward direction when the prod was applied excessively to the animals back side, and rump. Each animal became irritated with muscle twitching in the area where the prod was applied. To investigate further, I asked to see the prod tips themselves. REDACTED (Cattle Pen Supervisor) presented two of the prods so we could evaluate them. Upon examination, one of the prod tips came to a sharp point, and the other had jagged sharp edges along its tip. The two affected prods with the sharp tip and jagged edges were taken out of service and not used for the remainder of the day. REDACTED (QA Superintendent) was notified of the incident and that a non-compliance (NR) record would be issued. That the establishment failed to drive animals with minimal excitement and discomfort by excessively using cattle prods with sharp tips and edges represents non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2 (b) and (c).