JBS Green Bay, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.1

At approximately 10:38 am on 5/7/2024 while performing HATS category II Truck Unloading the following non-compliance was observed by CSI REDACTED. A Holstein Steer back tag number 35PR 2191/Ear tag Orange ST12 had pushed against the metal plate welded on the rails separating dock 2 and dock 3. Due to the steel columns not being secured to the cement curbing, the steer’s left hind foot slid between the steel plate and the cement curbing that separates the docks. The steer’s leg became wedged, and when it tried to pull away, it caused the plate to dig further into the steer’s leg and sever the deep digital flexor tendons. The driver notified plant employees who then tried to free the steers leg but were unsuccessful. REDACTED quickly retrieved a hand-held captive bolt device and rendered the steer insensible with one stunning attempt. CSI REDACTED took an immediate regulatory control action and placed U.S. Rejected tags B-45 965117 and B-45 965152 on dock 2 and dock 3 respectively, then called for PHV REDACTED who verified what posts and walls needed to be fixed before the dock could be released for unloading animals again.

313.2

On March 28, 2024 at approximately 7:00 am, CSI REDACTED was waiting to preform HATS category IV and observed a nonconformance with HATS category II, truck unloading. Loading Dock Two was over crowded with cattle. The cattle were pushed up against each other and the walls. They were unable to turn around or move. I observed two different steers jump up on the animal in front of them and then fall backwards. The animals did not have sufficient space to maneuver and get back to a standing position and both stayed down with other cattle stepping on the fallen steers. CSI REDACTED immediately notified REDACTED Barn supervisor of the situation and he immediately notified the truck driver. The truck driver went to release the gate from the pen; he had a difficult time opening the door with all the cattle pushed up against the gate and had to try several times. Once the first set of about 10 animals were released to the scale the pen became more acceptable for capacity and the fallen steers were able to get up and had no visible external injuries.

313.2

On February 26 at approximately 12:38pm, while accompanying Dr. REDACTED, DTP, on a routine humane handling audit, PHV REDACTED observed the following regulatory noncompliance with HATS Category VII - Slips and Falls. A group of steers was being moved from lobby 2 to lobby 1 and into to alleyway before the crowd pen. The establishment employee was swinging the rattle paddle and his other arm above his head and hitting the cattle in the back and rump with the paddle. The steers were reacting by running away and trying to double back to get around him and making quick turns. One steer fell in front of the employee trying to get back to lobby 2 going all the way down on to its ventrum. The steer got up and ran away from the employee back down lobby 1. The employee then walked back into lobby 2 and continued to wave his arm and rattle paddle above his head, yell and hit the cattle across the back and rump with the paddle. A second steer tried to run back past him into lobby 2, make a quick turn at the employee and fell to its ventrum. This steer also got up and ran away from the employee back down lobby 1. Both steers appeared uninjured after falling. The floor of the pen did not appear overly wet or soiled and had dry bedding down. I notified barn supervisor REDACTED of the noncompliance and the employee was immediately reinstructed on moving cattle.

313.15(a)(1)

In response to observations of multiple stunning holes, in various locations, on heads presented at the post-mortem head inspection station , over the last several days SPHV REDACTED scheduled a HATS Category VIII- Stunning Effectiveness task. On February 15th at 1:48pm (1:47:37 by plant video), while performing the HATS Category VIII task, SPHV REDACTED observed a stunning operator using the handheld captive bolt device (HHCB) attempt to stun a steer. The steer moved its head at the last moment and the HHCB fired but the steer was still conscious moving its head down and side to side in a controlled manner. A second stun attempt with another pre-loaded HHCB was performed by another establishment employee and the steer was rendered unconscious. SPHV REDACTED took regulatory control action by applying U.S. Reject tag number B-46 036489, to the restrainer. It was verified that there were 2 stun holes in the steer’s head, one centrally located and one off to the right of the pole. The holes were later measured and the central hole measured 8 inches from the left medial canthus and 8.5 inches from the right medial canthus as well as 3.5 inches from the top of the pole. The second hole measured 10.5 inches from the left medial canthus and 9.0 inches from the right medial canthus as well as 3 inches from the top of the pole. The central hole was into the brain cavity and the hole to the right was into the frontal sinus. After preventative measures of retraining of all stunners were given by Food Safety Assistant Manager REDACTED, the U.S. Reject tag was removed. I informed Establishment management REDACTED of my observations and the forthcoming noncompliance record.