Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.2

While performing Humane Handling Verification on August 24th, 2023 at approximately 1810 hours the following deviation was observed. Approximately 3-4 animals were in the second gated area just prior to the trap leading to the incline of the serpentine that leads up to the knock box. Two of the animals were attempting to turn around and get back through the gate. The establishment employee was trying to close the gate to prevent the animals from returning to the lower portion of the serpentine. The first animal was able to push the gate open enough to get through but as the second animal attempted to come through the gate the establishment employee pushed the gate back shut catching the animal in the shoulder and pinning it between the gate and the serpentine wall. The employee did not release pressure on the gate but was trying to force the animal back into the upper area of the serpentine. When the employee became aware that SCSI REDACTED and I were observing the incident he released the gate and let the animal return to the lower area. Yards Supervisor REDACTED as well as Slaughter Supervisor REDACTED and Establishment Administrator REDACTED were informed of the incident. Slaughter Supervisor REDACTED was informed that this was noncompliant with 9CFR 313.2 of the Code of Federal Regulations and that a noncompliance record would be issued.

313.2

HATS Category VI: Electric Prod/Alternative Object Use At approximately 2154 hours while performing humane handling the following non-compliance was observed. I finished ante-mortem inspection and was observing the establishment team members in the snake and at the restrainer moving cattle. The team member that was on the back side of the restrainer was using a hand-held battery-operated electrical prod on every beef as it passed by him, even though the animals were moving forward at a walking pace. I observed the cattle speed up or flinch as they were prodded with the hand-held battery-operated electrical prod. I observed the team member for approximately 5 minutes before I called for FSQA Supervisor, the General Foreman, and a plant Supervisor. Prior to the management arriving there was a gap in cattle coming through the snake to the restrainer and the team member walked back towards the snake, then returned to his place as the cattle arrived at the restrainer and continued to use the hand-held battery-operated electrical prod on the beef. I took a regulatory control action by rejecting the use of the prods. When management arrived, I informed them of what I had observed, gave the prods back to FSQA Supervisor and notified them verbally of the forthcoming noncompliance record. The Plant Supervisor informed me that he would have a meeting with the team member and discipline the employee for not following the program, the Systematic Approach to Humane Handling and Harvest of Livestock which uses the guidance of the North American Meat Institute. On the morning of June 14, 2023, in a conversation with the Animal Well Being Specialist, she informed me that the establishment has started intensified auditing of the area. The Denver District Management Team was notified through supervisory channels. There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause in the past 90 days.