Appalachian Abattoir: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.1

On Monday, June 10, 2024, at approximately 0830 hours, while conducting a directed Livestock Humane Handling Task on task categories IV and VII, I, CSI, REDACTED observed the following regulatory noncompliance in the livestock holding area. In pen two, which contained one hog, the approximately 6"x6" drain cover was missing exposing the catch pan and the drain hole that is approximately 4 inches in diameter. This poses the risk of the hog injuring itself if it's leg were to get caught stepping in the drain. The hog did not appear to have stepped in the drain hole or become injured. This is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.1. HACCP Coordinator, REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance. This noncompliance is similar to the one linked above in box 6a.

313.15(a)(3)

At approximately 1440 hours on June 10, 2024 I was notified by Food Inspector REDACTED that he had observed the following egregious humane handling noncompliance with HATS category IX during slaughter. A hog was sent into the knock box. When the employee responsible for stunning was attempting to perform the initial stun with the captive bolt the hog was moving it's head. The employee took a shot with the captive bolt, the hog vocalized and appeared to be rendered unconscious. When the hog was released from the chute it regained it's footing and was running around the room until employees were able to catch it. The hog was then successfully rendered unconscious. This is not compliant with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(3). Floor supervisor REDACTED was notified by Food Inspector REDACTED that slaughter operations were suspended and rejected tag #B38098292 was applied to the scale leading to the squeeze chute. HACCP Coordinator REDACTED was verbally notified of the suspension.

313.30(a)(3)

At approximately 1:30 pm on May 31st, 2024 while verifying HATS category VIII the following noncompliance was observed. When the wand for the electrical stunner (the initial stun method ) was applied to the head area of the first hog that hog vocalized. Once the chute was opened and the hog rolled out it's eyes were blinking and tracking . The hog was also raising it's head and moving it's legs as if trying to regain a standing position. The vocalization continued until the stun with the captive bolt (the backup method). The captive bolt was loaded and ready for use at the time of the occurrence and that stun attempt was successful. This is not compliance with 9 CFR 313.30(a) because the first stun attempt was unsuccessful in producing immediate insensibility. Floor person in charge, REDACTED and HACCP Coordinator REDACTED were notified that slaughter operations were suspended until the establishment could proffer corrective and preventive measures. Reject tag B38098291 was placed on the scale to prevent animals being sent to the chute to the knock box.

313.1

On May 30, 2024 at approximately 0820 the following noncompliance was observed while verifying compliance with HATS category IV. Pens 1 (9 beef present), 2 (10 beef present) and 4 (3 beef present) all had drains that were not covered exposing an approximately 4 inch pipe opening which could allow an animal to be injured. This is not compliant with 9 CFR 313.1. Slaughter floor employee in charge, REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance. A similar noncompliance #QGH5707050323 was issued on May 23, 2024. Corrective /preventive measures applied from May 23, 2024 forward were ineffective. All pens were full thus Reject tag B38098299 was placed at the gate used for unloading, thereby preventing additional animals from being unloaded and placed in the affected pens until verbal preventive measures were given.

313.1

On Thursday, May 23, 2024, at approximately 0730 hours, while conducting a routine Livestock Humane Handling Task on task categories IV and VII, I, CSI, REDACTED observed the following regulatory noncompliance in the livestock holding area. In pens two and three, which contained ten beef each, the approximately 6"x6" drain cover was missing exposing the catch pan and the drain hole that is approximately 4 inches in diameter. This poses the risk of the beef injuring themselves if their leg were to get caught stepping in the drain. The beef did not appear to have stepped in the drain hole or become injured. This is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.1. Employee, REDACTED was immediately notified of the noncompliance. HACCP Coordinator, REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance via email. This noncompliance is similar to the one linked above in box 6a.

313.1

On 02/29/24, will conducting a humane handling task on HATS categories III and IV, I, CSI, REDACTED, observed the following non-egregious non-compliance in the livestock pen area at 0705 hours. In pen 1, which contained 10 beef, the drain cover was dislodged from the drain exposing the catch drain opening that was approximately 6"x6" wide and 4" deep. At the bottom of the opening the drain hole, approximately 4" in diameter, was also exposed. This poses the risk of the beef stepping into a hole and causing an injury. No beef was observed stepping into the drain opening or being injured. This is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.1. REDACTED slaughter supervisor, was immediately notified of the non-compliance. REDACTED HACCP Coordinator, and REDACTED Plant Manager, were notified of the non-compliance via email. This non-compliance will be associated with NR#QGH4006022215, issued on 02/15/24.

313.1

On Thursday, February 15, 2024, at approximately 0710 hours, while conducting a routine Livestock Humane Handling Task on task categories IV and VII, I, CSI, REDACTED observed the following regulatory noncompliance in the livestock holding area. In pen one, which contained twelve beef, and pen four, which contained two beef, the approximately 6"x6" drain cover was missing exposing the catch pan and the drain hole that is approximately 4 inches in diameter. This poses the risk of the beef injuring themselves if their leg were to get caught stepping in the drain. The beef did not appear to have stepped in the drain hole or become injured. This is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.1. Employee, REDACTED was immediately notified of the noncompliance. HACCP Coordinator, REDACTED and Plant Manager, REDACTED were notified of the noncompliance via email. This noncompliance is similar to the one linked above in box 6a.

313.1

At approximately 1230 hours while performing a humane handling verification in HATS categories III and VIII the following noncompliance was observed. Pen 4 was open to the squeeze area and there were 5 hogs in the area between pen 4 and the squeeze. The drain cover in pen 4 was off, leaving an open hole of approximately 6 inches which could lead to an animal injuring itself. This is not compliant with 9 CFR 313.1. There were no injuries observed. I notified Supervisor REDACTED and temporary measures were taken to prevent an incident of injury for the remaining slaughter of the day.

313.1

On Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at approximately 1045 hours, while conducting the routine Livestock Humane Handling task HATS categories II and VII, I, CSI, REDACTED observed the following regulatory noncompliance: While watching a semi-trailer of approximately thirty beef unload, the sixteenth beef that was exiting the trailer reached the bottom of the ramp and onto the concrete and fell onto its stomach, brisket and knees. The beef was able to stand back up on its feet and make its way into the pens. Before the trailer could be shut, and unloading could be stopped, one more beef exited the trailer. I immediately stopped unloading at this point, as it was now safe and possible for establishment personnel and the truck driver to do so. Temporary corrective actions were performed on the concrete at the bottom of the ramp and I allowed unloading to continue at 1100 hours. The twenty-sixth beef to exit the trailer reached the bottom of the ramp and slipped onto its rump on the concrete. The beef was able to stand back up on its feet and make its way into the pens. Before the trailer could be shut, and unloading could be stopped, one more beef exited the trailer. I immediately stopped unloading at this point again, as it was now safe and possible for establishment personnel and the truck driver to do so. U.S. Rejected Tag NO. B38098341 was placed on the unloading ramp. Corrective actions were taken on the bottom of the ramp, concrete, and side fencing. I then allowed unloading to continue at approximately 1130 hours. No visible injuries were observed once the beef were in the pens. This is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.1 due to the animals slipping and losing their footing due to the concrete pen/driveway. This regulation requires that there be good footing for the animals provided on ramps, pens and driveways. Employee, REDACTED was immediately notified of the noncompliance. HACCP Coordinator, REDACTED was notified via email. This noncompliance is similar to the one linked above in box 6a.

313.1

On 11/17/23, while conducting a Livestock Humane Handling Task on task categories IV and VII, I, CSI, REDACTED, observed the following non-compliance at 0705 hours in the livestock holding area. In pen three, which contained 5 beef, the approximately 6"x6" drain cover was missing exposing the catch pan and the drain hole that is approximately 4 inches in diameter. This poses the risk of the beef injuring themselves if their leg were to get caught stepping in the drain. The beef did not appear to have stepped in the drain hole or become injured. This is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.1. This non-compliance will be associated with NR #QGH2107064415N-1, issued on 06/15/23.

313.1

On Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at approximately 1100 hours, while conducting the routine Livestock Humane Handling task HATS categories II and VII, I, CSI, REDACTED observed the following regulatory noncompliance: While watching a semi-trailer of approximately thirty-three beef unload, the seventh beef that was exiting the trailer reached the bottom of the ramp and onto the concrete and slipped onto its stomach and knees. The beef was able to stand back up on its feet and make its way into the pens. Before the trailer could be shut, and unloading could be stopped, five more beef exited the trailer. The tenth beef to come off the trailer also slipped at the bottom of the ramp on the concrete. This beef slipped on its brisket and stomach, legs sprawled out to the sides. This beef was also able to regain its footing and make its way into the pens. I immediately stopped unloading at this point, as it was now safe and possible for establishment personnel and the truck driver to do so. No visible injuries were observed once the beef were in the pens. Temporary corrective actions were performed on the concrete at the bottom of the ramp and I allowed unloading to continue at 1115 hours. This is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.1 due to the animals slipping and losing their footing due to the concrete pen/driveway. This regulation requires that there be good footing for the animals provided on ramps, pens and driveways. Employee, REDACTED was immediately notified of the noncompliance. HACCP Coordinator, REDACTED was notified via email.

313.15(a)(1),313.16(b)(1)(iii)

On 10/25/23, while conducting a Humane Handling task on HAT categories VIII and IX, I, CSI, REDACTED observed the following non-compliance at approximately 1510 hours. On the 4th animal of the day (mature sheep), REDACTED Slaughter Supervisor, used a captive bolt that did not render the animal unconscious on the initial stun attempt. The initial stun attempt struck above the left orbital bone of the sheep. Mr. REDACTED grabbed a second captive bolt which was located directly beside the knocking chute and delivered a successful stun. The second captive bolt was pre-loaded and was readily available at the time of the failed knock. From USDA personnel observation is that the failed stun was due to excess of free movement to the animal as it was able to move its head and neck with no restraint. This is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) and 313.16(b)(1)(iii). Once the animal was successfully stunned and bled, I, CSI REDACTED instructed Mr. REDACTED to cease stunning until establishment management and USDA management was informed. Once all parties were informed of the non-compliance that had occurred, Mr. REDACTED verbally informed USDA personnel that an additional employee was to help restrain the animal while during the knocking process. The verbal notification of the corrective action was deemed to be acceptable and USDA personnel informed the establishment that they could continue with slaughter at 1524 hours. The establishment’s stunning procedures states as follows, "In the event stunning is not successful, due to human error or animal behavior, immediate action is taken. A backup stun will be administered within seconds to the animal to minimize pain and suffering. Egregious stunning is not acceptable. Secondary stunning is acceptable as long as the second stunning action is performed in a reasonable timeframe and effectively administered. A second stun can be administered after every stun, even if the first stun is successful." REDACTED HACCP Coordinator, and REDACTED Plant Manager, were notified of the non-compliance. .