Palace Meat Company Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.1,313.2

On 11/28/23, at approximately 0944 hours, in Palace Meats Est. 9880, while performing humane handling tasks (HATS Category II -Truck Unloading (9 CFR 313.1and313.2) and HATS Category VII -Slips and Falls (9 CFR 313.1 and 313.2), I CSI REDACTED observed a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.1 (b) and 9CFR 313.2 (a)." Twenty hogs were being unloaded with no ramp at the hauler's exit. The height difference between the hauler's trailer exit and the floor was about one foot. The hauler was aggressively forcing the hogs to unload fast. The hauler was yelling at the hogs as he was removing them at a faster pace than normal. He looked mad and frustrated as he was unloading. The first two hogs unloaded without incident, but the third hog to get off the trailer fell on its front legs, and the hog's face hit the floor. The hogs continued to get off the trailer, when a second hog fell onto its front legs and hit the floor with its face. I asked the HACCP coordinator, REDACTED to stop removing the hogs from the trailer. The establishment asked the hauler to stop removing the hogs from the trailer. However, the hauler ignored the ask and continued removing the hogs from the trailer. More hogs came off the trailer and started getting stuck in the outside run that leads into each pen. The hogs were all trying to enter the pen runway entrance at once, creating a blockage in the runway. The hogs were squealing in frustration, trying to move. I again asked the HACCP coordinator, REDACTED to stop the unloading. Despite the HACCP coordinator's repeated asks to stop, the hauler shouted to establishment Supervisor REDACTED not to enter the trailer and he continued to forcefully push the hogs off his trailer. Then for the third time, a hog unloading from the trailer fell on its front legs, and the hog's face hit the concrete floor. At this point, a few hogs started stepping over the hog lying on the floor, trying to get to the other side, causing the hog lying on the floor to begin squealing due to it being trampled. The establishment hauler forced the animals to move faster than a normal walking speed and three hogs were observed slip and fall. This did not meet regulation 9 CFR 313.1 (b) and 9 CFR 313.2 (a). Regulation 9 CFR 313.1 (b) requires “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.” Regulation 9 CFR 313.2 (a) requires “Driving of livestock from the unloading ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Livestock shall not be forced to move faster than a normal walking speed.”. HACCP Coordinator REDACTED and Plant Manager REDACTED were notified of the forthcoming noncompliance.