National Beef Packing Co., L.L.C.: 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 National Beef Packing Co., L.L.C. slaughterhouse establishment in 2023.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2023.
313.15(a)(1)
On Tuesday May 16, 2023, at approximately 8:31 hours while observing Humane Handling—(HATS Category VIII), I observed the following: An Animal went through the chute into the restrainer. The establishment employee gave the first knock with the compressed air captive bolt. I heard the discharge of the knocking device and observed evidence (blood) of the device’s discharge on the animal’s faceplate. The animal shook his head back and forth strenuously, eyes continuously moving back and forth while blinking. As the employee attempted to give a second knock the animal was avoiding the knocking device. The employee attempted a second knock. I again heard the discharge and observed evidence of the attempted knock by observed evidence of blood on the animal’s faceplate. The animal remained conscious as it again shook his head back and forth strenuously, with eyes continuously moving back forth. A second establishment employee delivered a third attempt with the handheld knocking device. The animal again made attempts to avoid the knocking device. The animal remained conscious after this third attempt, again moving head back and forth strenuously and making eye movements. The area supervisor then approached with a different handheld knocking device and rendered the animal unconscious. I halted production after the second attempt to render the animal unconscious. I notified the area Supervisor REDACTED that further regulatory actions would be taken. Supervisors REDACTED and REDACTED arrived shortly and were notified of my observations. I rejected the restrainer with U.S. Tag NO. B-45696303. The establishment had a robust systematic approach to humane handling.
