FPL Food: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.2

At approximately 0518, while performing antemortem inspection I found the cows in pen 23 did not have access to water. The water trough was empty and there were 37 cows in the pen at the time of my observations. The failure to provide all animals with access to water is noncompliant with regulation 9 CFR 313.2(e). Barn Supervisor REDACTED was notified, and he turned on the water spicket and water entered the trough. Several of the cows showed signs of heat stress and began drinking water.

313.15(a)(1)

At approximately 0922, while performing a Humane Handling Task and verifying Category VIII – Stunning Effectiveness in the knock-box area, I noted noncompliance with this category. A young bull was driven into the knock box. He was vocalizing as he entered the knock box and continued vocalizing as the hand-held captive bolt was discharged against its skull. I saw that the bolt did penetrate the skull as it briefly was stuck and caused the operator to have to pull it out. The stun was not effective in rendering the bull unconscious as it continued to vocalize after this knock. The operator immediately used the pneumatic stunner to render a second stun to the bull, and the vocalization stopped. The bull was rendered unconscious. I notified the QA employee in the area that the first stun did not effectively render the bull unconscious and noted that the bull’s back tag number was 4780. I left the area and had a CSI apply a retain tag to the carcass so the head could be examined. U.S. Retain tags #B-46 60491 and #B-46 604692 were applied to each carcass half and the line inspectors retained the corresponding head with retain tag #MPD68959092. I notified Ms. REDACTED, FSQA manager, that two stuns were required to effectively render a bull unconscious at approximately 0922 because the first stun was not effective and that a noncompliance would be forthcoming. Upon examination of the head, there were two knock holes with the smaller hole approximately one cm dorsal to the slightly bigger hole immediately ventral. Both holes appeared to have penetrated through the bone of the skull. The establishment was further notified in the weekly meeting at 0945 that a noncompliance would be issued for failure to produce immediate unconsciousness by a single blow. QA Manager REDACTED and Harvest Manager REDACTED were among those in attendance at the meeting. This noncompliance record is written notification that Food Safety Inspection Service regulatory requirement 9CFR 313.15(a)(1) was not met. This noncompliance record is linked to NR #ACA1311050029N/1 dated 5-29-2024 and shows repetitive instances of the establishment failing to render an animal unconscious with a single stunning blow. Previous proffered preventative measure of maintaining stunning charges in a dry environment did not prevent a recurrence.

313.15(a)(1)

At approximatly1000, Dr. REDACTED observed a non-egregious, stunning effectiveness failure at the knock box while verifying HATS Category VIII - Stunning Effectiveness. The plant employee using a handheld captive bolt stunner applied the first knock to an animal. The bolt contacted the animals head but was not effective in rendering the animal unconscious. The employee immediately applied a second knock and the animal was rendered unconscious. Further investigation of the head at the head inspection station indicated the first ineffective knock partially penetrated the skull but did not enter the cranial cavity. Establishment management was shown the ineffective knock hole and informed that because the second knock was immediate and effective, it was determined the event was non-egregious. Establishment management was notified a NR would be issued for the failure of the establishment to apply the captive bolt stunners as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals as required by 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1). QA manager REDACTED, Plant Manager REDACTED and Harvest Manager REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance.

313.1

At approximately 8:40 am, while performing HATS Category II Truck Unloading, I observed a cow that was exiting the trailer fall as it was exiting a trailer. Upon further inspection I noticed the cow’s hind foot and leg was stuck in an opening approximately 4 inches wide between the trailer and the unloading dock. The cow was attempting to rise and free it hoof. Establishment employees were notified that animals was stuck and to stop unloading other cattle. After approximately 2-3 minutes the animal was able to free its foot. The establishment failed to ensure the vehicles was properly positioned for unloading leading to the injury to the animals and noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.1 (b). REDACTED was notified of the noncompliance.