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

313.15(a)(1)

On March 15, 2024, at approximately 0835 hours while observing HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness, the following noncompliance occurred at the head restraint box: I heard one shot fired from the Handheld Captive Bolt (HHCB), looked over at the restraint box, and observed a conscious sow; the sow’s head was moving up and down and a heavy breath with a squeal sound could be heard. Supervisor REDACTED was nearby and immediately applied a 2nd stun with the backup HHCB, rendering the sow unconscious. The sow’s head dropped and there were no more breaths or sounds. I observed the head and saw two stunning holes. The first one was approximately one inch below and left of the baseline of the eyes, and the second one was center mass of the same line. “U.S.”Rejected Tag # B39900113 was applied to the restraint area and Supervisor REDACTED was instructed to halt Slaughter operations while guidance from the supervisory chain was sought. Verbal corrective actions were offered, which included having Supervisor REDACTED finish the stunning for the day. The “U.S.”Rejected tag was removed, and operations resumed at approximately 0910 hours. A phone call with Ms. REDACTED, Plant Management, and REDACTED, Plant Management, myself and SCSI REDACTED, and further preventive measures were proffered, which included more training for employees by practicing on spent heads. I notified REDACTED and REDACTED that a noncompliance record would be issued. This noncompliance is being associated with NR # PNA0105031928N-1 issued on 3/27/2024 for similar cause as preventive measures were either ineffective or not implemented.

313.15(a)(1)

On March 27, 2024, at approximately 7:02 am while performing humane handling HATS category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness, I observed the following noncompliance: While the establishment employee was stunning a sow in the restrainer, he discharged the hand-held captive bolt (HHCB) device and it fired into the sow’s head just off of midline, but the stunning attempt was ineffective. The conscious sow vocalized and thrashed about in the stunning area. Upon the employee’s observation of this he quickly reloaded the HHCB device and applied a second stunning attempt, which was effective and rendered the hog unconscious. At this point I took immediate regulatory control action by verbally halting any further activity in the stun area. I observed the skull of the sow and verified that there were two HHCB holes. At this point I informed Mr. REDACTED, supervisor, of the forthcoming noncompliance and that any further stunning would be halted until I had further discussed the matter with my supervisory team. Upon discussion with the management team it was determined that a noncompliance would be documented. SCSI REDACTED and I discussed the incident via phone with Ms. REDACTED, owner of JNB Inc. She informed us that she would conduct training with the employee regarding safe and effective stunning techniques. Upon receipt and verification of corrective action I relinquished regulatory control action.

313.2

HATS Category III: Water and Feed Availability On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at approximately 0555 hours, while performing Odd-hour Livestock Humane Handling verification, I observed the following noncompliance. The barn had approximately thirty (30) hogs in the holding pen. Upon examination of the water bucket, I found that the water had frozen leaving only ice in the bucket. There was no water available for the hogs to drink, as this was the only water source in the pen. An establishment employee immediately went out and added water once he was notified of the issue by CSI REDACTED. I verbally notified Establishment Owner, Ms. REDACTED of the forthcoming noncompliance for failing to provide access to water as required in 9 CFR 313.2(e)