E. R. Boliantz Co. Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.2

At approximately 7:00am on May 22, 2025, while performing ante-mortem inspection and verifying HATS category III, water and feed availability, CSI REDACTED observed that there was no available water in pen 10 housing 3 cattle and no tubs or water in pens 5 and 8 containing 6 hogs each. These observations are noncompliant with 9CFR 313.2(e) stating that animals shall have access to water in all holding pens. All other pens were checked and compliant. REDACTED and REDACTED of the kill floor were advised of the issue, and plant manager REDACTED was informed of the non-compliance. The pens without water were immediately filled, by REDACTED and REDACTED, and everything was brought back to compliance.

313.15(a)(1)

At approximately 0950 hours on 02/11/2025, while conducting the Humane Handling Activities Tracking System (HATS) verification task for Category VIII- Stunning Effectiveness, the Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian (SPHV) REDACTED observed an establishment employee using a captive bolt stunning device on a steer. The steer’s head was properly positioned inside the knock box with the head restraint engaged. Upon deployment of the captive bolt, the animal collapsed within the knock box, and the gate was lifted. The steer exhibited signs of sensibility, including blinking and eye tracking movement, and made an attempt to right itself. In response, slaughter floor personnel immediately accessed the pre-loaded backup captive bolt device and administered a second stun, rendering the animal insensible. The steer was then hoisted and bled. Subsequent skull verification confirmed two penetrating shots in the forehead: one precisely centered in the target area and the second approximately half an inch to the right of the first. The slaughter floor manager REDACTED was verbally notified of the noncompliance, as the establishment failed to meet the regulatory requirements for humane stunning as prescribed in 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1).

313.15(a)(2),313.2

At 7:00 AM, during a routine HATS inspection for humane handling during antemortem inspection (IV) and water and feed availability (III), the following non-compliance was observed. Two market swine were seen entering the knock box simultaneously and while trying to back one out the hog was struck in the face with a stick. The hog immediately vocalized, there were no visible abrasions to the hog. This is a violation of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(2) and 9 CFR 313.2(b). Plant personnel were immediately instructed to cease hitting the animals and to handle them in a humane manner. The staff apologized for the incident and were closely monitored for the remainder of the day. Additionally, while inspecting the barn, it was observed that two market swine in pen 2 did not have access to water, as the water pail had been overturned. In pen 3, five market hogs were found with an empty water trough, which is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.2(e). The plant was informed, and water was promptly replenished in both pens. It was noted that pigs tend to play and may flip over their water pans and the plant must accommodate the species being slaughtered. Animals must always have access to water while in holding pens, regardless of species. The Plant Manager, REDACTED, was notified of these non-compliances.