Western Heritage Meat Company: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.2

HATS Category III: Water and Feed Availability On Monday August 26, 2024, at approximately 1600 hours, while performing the “Livestock Humane Handling” task, I observed there was feed available however, no water for the 5 swine to access in the pen they were held in, as the water trough was empty. There was water available in the water trough located in the next pen. I observed a few of the swine stretching their necks or wiggle their tongue in an attempt to reach for the water which was approximately 3 inches out of reach. This is in violation of 9 CFR 317.2(e) which states: “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. There shall be sufficient room in the holding pen for animals held overnight to lie down” I notified the plant manager verbally of the noncompliance and again in writing with the issuance of this Noncompliance Record. There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause in the past 90 days. The Denver District Veterinary Medical Specialist was notified through supervisory channels. This establishment operates under a robust systematic approach to the humane handling of livestock