Swiss Processing Plant Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.1

HATS Category IV-Ante-mortem Inspection On 6/20/24 at approximately 0850 I (CSI REDACTED) was notified by FI REDACTED that a cow appeared to have been injured while in the holding pens. The injury was observed after stunning when the cow was placed in the cradle to start dressing procedures. The right hind leg had a laceration approximately 3 inches high by 4 inches wide which formed a skin flap adjacent to the hoof. The laceration appeared to be a recent wound with fresh blood. The HACCP Coordinator observed the wound at this time. I went out to the holding pens to assess the area for any objects that could be injurious to the cattle. In the alley that leads to the stunning chute, I observed a significant amount of blood on the ground (approximately 1 foot wide by 9 feet long). I observed a trail of blood that continued in the alley leading to the holding pens. In the alley there was a piece of paneling that was sharp and extended into the alley where the cattle were located. The sharp panel was positioned as such (same side and height) to have caused the injury observed on the cow. I notified the HACCP Coordinator and Slaughter Floor Lead of my observations, and a noncompliance would be documented. The establishment has failed to comply with 9 CFR 313.1(a). The broken panel was repaired in my presence prior to moving additional cattle in the area.

313.1

HATS Category VII - Slips and Falls On May 28, 2024 at 0810 hours, I, CSI REDACTED was notified by FI REDACTED the following noncompliance was observed at approximately 0800 hours: FI REDACTED stated the establishment identified an issue with the hog scalder which required the water to be drained. Two hogs were in the holding pen for stunning. As the hot water was removed from the scalder, it started to drain to the floor of the holding pen. The hogs became agitated, both slipped while trying to avoid the water and one hog fell. The hogs did not appear to be injured and were moved from the area. The HACCP Coordinator was notified of the establishment’s failure to meet 9 CFR 313.1(b).

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness On 03/25/2024, at approximately 1354 hours, while observing HATS category VIII Stunning Effectiveness, I, FI REDACTED, observed the following humane handling noncompliance. The establishment employees were restraining a goat in the head catch, with its head being held on a section of PVC pipe, with their hands as well as a rope wrapped around the head. The initial knock with a captive bolt resulted in a visible head wound. The animal came out of the head restraint but remained standing, was tracking personnel with its eyes, and was struggling against the employee trying to force it to the ground. I informed plant personnel that I believed the animal was still conscious and needed a second knock. The HACCP Coordinator, REDACTED, was observing and stated the same to the employee who was still restraining the goat. However, the employee restraining the goat with one hand, used a knife and stuck the goat in the throat, wounding the goat, and at which time the goat vocalized. I repeated that the goat needed to be stunned with the captive bolt, and at that time the employee reloaded the captive bolt gun and then made a successful stun, resulting in the goat collapsing to the ground. This is a failure to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1). It was confirmed on post-mortem examination, after skinning the head and observing the holes with Establishment HACCP Coordinator REDACTED, that in both stunning attempts the captive bolt did not penetrate the brain but entered the sinus. CSI REDACTED informed the establishment of the forthcoming noncompliance and that the knock box would remain rejected (US rejected tag No. B-46039538) until the establishment proffered preventive measures and corrective actions were implemented.

313.1

HUMANE HANDLING CATEGORY I 9 CFR 313.1 Livestock pens, driveways, and ramps At or about 0950 hours on Tuesday February 27, 2024, I, CSI REDACTED was paged to slaughter floor and FI REDACTED called me to come outside with him. In Pen 5, there was a steer with its head caught between the third and fourth rail. I observed the steer at one point with its head resting on the fourth rail with its tongue extended outwards and white frothy liquid forming. The steer was able to slide its stuck head between the two rails but unable to free itself. I instructed plant personnel to remove the other four bovine in the pen with the steer. Plant personnel used a Sawzall to cut the third rail in two pieces and at the time the steer was able to move freely. The estimated time of the steer’s head being trapped in between the third and fourth rail was approximately 10 to 15minutes. HACCP Coordinator was informed that a noncompliance record would be issued for failure to comply with 9 CFR 313.1 (a).

313.1

Hats Category VII: Slips and Falls November 21, 2023, at approximately 0708 hours, I, CSI REDACTED received notification from FI REDACTED, the following noncompliance was observed while performing ante-mortem inspection at 0707 hours: FI REDACTED stated that Pen 6 had 3 cattle being held. When he walked up to the pen for observation, the cattle started to run up and down in the pen. FI REDACTED observed all 3 cattle slipping and sliding while running in the pen. At the southeast end of the pen, one of the cows slipped and fell; the animal was able to get up and no visible signs of injury from the fall. Pen 6 has a concrete floor with grooves that had approximately 1-2 inches of mud and hay the full length of the concreted area of the pen. Plant Manager and Plant HACCP Coordinator were notified that a noncompliance record would be issued for failure to comply with 9 CFR 313.1(b).