Macelo Central S.E. Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.2

Today, at 1045 hours, while performing PHIS Task - Livestock Humane Handling (Review and Observation), I observed animals from a distance while being unloaded from a truck. While doing so the person was hitting the animals with a hammer in the back area. When I got closer, I noticed that the hammer was modified, and some numbers were placed in one end in order to tattoo the animals with it. The person was using black ink to tattoo the animals. I monitored the animals and 7-8 of them had fresh blood in the area that the tattoo was placed (out of a total of 32 animals). The owner of the animals is Mr. REDACTED and it was his employee who was tattooing the animals at the establishment premises. I halted operations at the establishment immediately and informed the establishment administrator of the noncompliance. This is a noncompliance with 9 CFR Regulation 313.2(c) that states: "313.2 Handling of livestock. (a) Driving of livestock from the unloading ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Livestock shall not be forced to move faster than a normal walking speed. (b) Electric prods, canvas slappers, or other implements employed to drive animals shall be used as little as possible in order to minimize excitement and injury. Any use of such implements which, in the opinion of the inspector, is excessive, is prohibited. Electrical prods attached to AC house current shall be reduced by a transformer to the lowest effective voltage not to exceed 50 volts AC. (c) Pipes, sharp or pointed objects, and other items which, in the opinion of the inspector, would cause injury or unnecessary pain to the animal shall not be used to drive livestock." A similar situation was documented on 08/09/2021 in which I notice the same person before leaving the premises with a brush with green paint and a hammer in his hands. I checked the animals he brought in and they had a green paint spot in their backs and what appear to be a tattoo or branding. A plant employee confirmed to me that the animals were branded at the pens with the supplier's equipment. Plant Management and the animal's owner were informed that this practice is not acceptable and is not allowed at the premises. Branding or tattooing must be performed at the owner's premises and not at the Federally Inspected establishment. Performing such at the establishment is considered a Humane Handling issue, especially if a hammer is used to do it. This was documented on MOI # IJA0614081910G (dated 08/10/2021). Failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in additional regulatory or administrative action. Dr. REDACTED

313.1

On 12/13/2022, at 0730 hours, while performing Antemortem inspection, I noticed that the following Pen #4 and Pen #19 had their gate damaged, not closing properly, and with sharp edges on broken weld spots. I Rejected the pens with US Tags B45937781 (Pen #4) and B45937782 (Pen #19). Plant Management was informed immediately of the noncompliance. This finding is a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.1 (a) & (b) that states: "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. Loose boards, splintered or broken planking, and unnecessary openings where the head, feet, or legs of an animal may be injured shall be repaired. (b) Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock. Slip resistant or waffled floor surfaces, cleated ramps and the use of sand, as appropriate, during winter months are examples of acceptable construction and maintenance." Failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in additional regulatory or administrative action. Dr. REDACTED