Thompson Farms: 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 Thompson Farms slaughterhouse establishment in 2023.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2023.
313.15(a)(1)
On Wednesday, August 16th, 2023, at approximately 1030am hours at Thompson Farms Establishment M31999A, IPP observed a humane handling non-compliance during routine slaughter of a steer. The stunner applied captive bolt to head of steer, but the 1st shot was ineffective, the animal did not vocalize, or no blood noted coming from nose on first attempt. Stunner took immediate corrective action and applied captive bolt again to the animal and rendered the animal unconscious successful along with the 3rd and 4th shot were a security shot. IPP tagged the stunning box with U.S. tag B38708409 and halted operations, immediately notified PHV and Supervisor and Plant management of the incident. The skinned skull was examined, and four holes were found. U.S. tag B38708409 was removed, and operations resumed. This non-compliance violates CFR 313.15 (a) (1).
313.15(a)(1)
At approximately 1343 hours on June 21st, 2023, IPP observed the following humane handling noncompliance. Plant personnel brought a bull into the knock box. The bull was secured in a head catch. A captive bolt was used. The employee at the knock box proceeded to knock the bull with the captive bolt. The bull was not rendered unconscious, continued to stand, had purposeful, tracking eye movement, and started to bleed from the nose. No vocalization was heard. The employee took immediate corrective action by delivering a second shot to the bull’s head with the same captive bolt and rendered it unconscious. Two additional security knocks were delivered to the bull’s head. No tag was placed due to immediate corrective actions. This noncompliance violates 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1). On postmortem examination it was confirmed that there were four points of entry in the bull’s head. Plant management was immediately notified of the non-compliance.
313.15(a)(1)
At approximately 1310 hours on June 14th, 2023, IPP observed the following humane handling noncompliance. Plant personnel brought a heifer into the knock box. The heifer was secured in a head catch. A captive bolt was used. The employee at the knock box proceeded to knock the heifer with the captive bolt. The heifer was not rendered unconscious, continued to stand, had purposeful, tracking eye movement, and started to bleed from the nose. No vocalization was heard. The employee took immediate corrective action by delivering a second shot to the heifer’s head with the same captive bolt, rendering it unconscious. Two additional security knocks were delivered to the heifer’s head. No tag was placed due to immediate corrective actions. This noncompliance violates 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1). On postmortem examination it was confirmed that there were four points of entry in the heifer’s head. Plant management was immediately notified of the non-compliance.
313.15(a)(1)
On Wednesday, March 1st, 2023, at approximately 1326 hours at Thompson Farms Establishment M31999A, IPP observed a humane handling non-compliance during routine slaughter of cattle. The employee responsible for stunning attempted to render the steer immediate unconscious with the captive bolt. The steer vocalizes and remains standing after the first attempt and then employee applied immediate corrective actions with the second attempt properly stunned the steer. IPP tagged the stunning box with U.S. tag B38708319 and halted operations until further notice. Plant management was notified of the non-compliance verbally and in writing. This non-compliance violates CFR 313.15 (a) (1). Upon head examination, three captive bolt holes were verified.
313.30(a)(1),313.30(b)(3),313.30(b)(2)
On Wednesday, December 7th, 2022 at approximately 1300 hours at Thompson Farms Establishment M31999A, IPP observed a humane handling non-compliance during routine slaughter of swine. The employee responsible for stunning attempted to render the pig unconscious with electricity. The pig fell to the ground as the electric wand was applied to his head. The pig vocalized and remained in lateral recumbency without any attempt to stand or right itself. The employee applied immediate corrective actions and continued applying electricity to the pig’s head until the pig was successfully stunned. He then applied electricity to the pig’s thoracic cavity to complete the stunning process. IPP tagged the stunning box with U.S. tag B38708424 and halted operations. Plant management was immediately notified of the incident. Plant management evaluated the situation and noted a malfunction of the electric wand. Plant management replaced the electric with a new electric wand and the voltage was tested and confirmed to be operating correctly. U.S. tag was removed and operations resumed. This non-compliance violates CFR 313.30 (a) (1), (b) (2), (b) (3).
