Clemens Food Group, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.1

At approximately 0905 hours, while performing HATS Category VIII Stunning effectiveness as part of a directed Humane Handling Verification Visit (HHVV), I (REDACTED DVMO) observed the following noncompliance with HATS category IV – Handling During Antemortem Inspection: A sharp black metal object protruding from the west safety entry gate into the Automatic Mover area, which is used to hold animals just before they are moved into the gondola for CO2 stunning. The sharp metal part was about one foot off the ground and approximately two inches in length. I notified REDACTED (FSQA Tech.) of the noncompliance, and she contacted maintenance before any animals were moved through this area. As an immediate corrective measure, the establishment’s maintenance team swiftly retracted the sharp edge of the safety entry gate and secured it back into position, effectively mitigating any potential harm to the animals. No animals were injured during my observation. I informed REDACTED that this noncompliance violates 9 CFR 313.1(a), which mandates that pens, driveways, and ramps must be free of sharp or protruding objects that could cause injury or pain to the animals.

313.1

At approximately 11:50 AM while preforming a routine Livestock Humane Handling task, verifying HATS category IV Handling During Ante-Mortem Inspection, I observed the following Noncompliance. I observed a gate at the end of a pen near the back of the barn by dock three and four, the gate appeared to have the bottom metal panel sticking out about four to five inches into the aisleway where they unload hogs. I showed FSQA REDACTED and Supervisor REDACTED the gate and informed them I would be documenting a Noncompliance record. Maintenance was called while I was in the barn and arrived within 10 minutes to repair a few screws on the panel that had came loose. No animals were affected before the gate was repaired. 9CFR 313.1 states: Livestock pens, driveways and ramps shall be maintained in good repair. They shall be free from sharp or protruding objects which may, in the opinion of the inspector, cause injury or pain to the animals. Loose boards, splintered or broken planking, and unnecessary openings where the head, feet, or legs of an animal may be injured shall be repaired. This document serves as a written notice that failure to comply with Federal Regulations may result in further regulatory and/or administrative action.