Froehlich Packing Company: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.1

At 07:10 on 06/13/2024 I, CSI REDACTED observed the following non-compliance while performing ante-mortem inspection and HATS verification: In the outermost exterior pen, directly adjoined to the loading dock, there was a single steer presented for antemortem inspection. Upon observing the steer, who was active and anxious, I noticed that its hooves slid across the pen floor each time it tried to move. In addition to its hooves sliding forward and backward, the footing provided also caused the animal's legs to splay open slightly each time the animal tried to change the direction of it's movement. Observing the floor, I noted that it is made of aggregated concrete, but has no waffled mats or grooves to prevent animals from slipping and falling. I also noted that, while there is some straw strewn across the floor, it is insufficient to provide full coverage and adequate footing for the animals in the pen. This is in violation of CFR 313.1(b) which states: "Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock. Slip resistant or waffled floor surfaces, cleated ramps and the use of sand, as appropriate, during winter months are examples of acceptable construction and maintenance." I notified Plant Manager REDACTED of the non-compliance, and took regulatory control action by applying a rejected tag (#B37530305) to the pen in question. I checked PHIS and found no recent NRs for this issue.