Marin Sun Farms, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Marin Sun Farms, Inc. slaughterhouse establishment in 2023.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2023.
313.1,313.2
On 09/11/2023 at approximately 0830 hours while conducting a routine humane handling task, HATS Category VIII: Stunning effectiveness I Dr. REDACTED, SPHV observed the following noncompliance. The establishment was slaughtering roaster pigs and one of the roasters ran into the electrical stunning room and behind the chute used to restrain pigs. This chute is constructed of two boards. One board can swing up and down and the other board is bolted to the wall. The pig ran behind the board that is bolted to the wall. There is an approximately one-foot gap between the chute and the wall, and the wall is approximately 2-3 feet tall. The two stunning employees reached down and grabbed the roaster by its hind legs and lifted it up and placed it on the ground. I notified Mr. REDACTED, QA and Mr. REDACTED, facility maintenance manager, that the roaster was not handled with a minimum of excitement and discomfort and that the opening between the chute and wall is concerning since it is big enough for a roaster pig to get stuck behind. This is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.2 (a) and 313.1.
313.30(a)(4)
On 12/5/22 at approximately 0655 hours, I, Dr. REDACTED SVMO, while providing a Food Inspector (FI) a relief break at M48087, heard a hog begin vocalizing with high pitched squealing. When I walked over to the swine stunning area, I observed that there was only one market hog in the area, which was shackled, hoisted and bleeding, and the door to the outside holding pens was closed. As I approached the hoisted hog and saw the hog squealing, I observed the stunning employee (not the usual stunner) holding an ear, with knife in hand. While the hog was hanging, it’s head was obscured by the dehairing machine, so I was unable to see the eyes, but it was exhibiting a slight righting reflex with vigorous back and forth motions and leg movement. At this point (approximately 15 seconds after vocalization began), no further vocalization was heard. The establishment utilizes head-heart electrical stunning for their hogs. I applied US Rejected tag No. B19890506 to the knock box in accordance with 9 CFR 313.50 (c). As the establishment failed to effectively stun the animal so that it remained in a state of surgical anesthesia during shackling, sticking and bleeding, this is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.30 (a)(4). Mr. REDACTED, Facility Maintenance Manager, Mr. REDACTED, QA Lead, and Mr. REDACTED, Livestock Receiving Supervisor, were informed of this incident and that no further slaughter would be allowed due to the inhumane handling of livestock. As a result of the non-compliance, a Notice of Intended Enforcement was issued to the establishment.
313.1
On 10/03/2022 At approximately 0845 hours While performing Humane Handling task, while assessing the condition of livestock pens drive way, I observed on right side chute before entrance at the nock box approximately 10 inches width 8 inches square metal sheet is rusted through and flip up with sharp edges to exposing to cause injure the animals. A regulatory control action was initiated by placing the U.S. rejected tag No. B6178156 on the entrance to the nock box . Given the current condition of the chute it`s use can cause injury to the legs of animals. I show the deficiency and notified of the forthcoming noncompliance to the supervisor and QA REDACTED. Livestock pens, driveways and ramps shall be maintained in good repair. They shall be free from sharp and unnecessary openings where the legs of an animal may be injured shall be repaired. At approximately 1012 hours after the establishment took corrective action to repair the metal sheet, I removed the tag. Establishment is failed to compliant with 9 CFR 313. 1 (a).
