Island Grown Farmer's Cooperative: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.2

HATS Category III: Water and Feed Availability At approximately 0645 hours while performing antemortem inspection I, the CSI, observed the following non-compliance: Two steers were held in pen #3 from the previous day. There was no water in the 5-gallon bucket strapped and hanging on the panel of the pen or any other accessible water in the pen. I verbally notified the Slaughter Lead of the forthcoming non-compliance. No regulatory action was taken due immediate action from plant personnel. The establishment operates under a robust systemic approach to the humane handling of livestock. There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause in the last 90 days

313.2

HATS Category II- Truck Unloading At approximately 0830 hours while performing the HATS Verification task I, the CSI, observed a trailer load of 8 lambs being unloaded. The producer entered the trailer and attempted to unload the lambs. The lambs balked and the establishment worker in charge of unloading stopped the unloading process and went to retrieve a portable ramp. The producer then grasped a lamb about the shoulder and rear and tossed the lamb down the length of the ramp. The lamb stumbled and regained its footing before running back into the trailer. The establishment worker immediately stopped the unloading process and radioed establishment management for assistance. The establishment manager instructed the producer on proper unloading technique and retrieved a panel to encourage the lambs forward down the ramp. The lambs were then unloaded without further incidence. Establishment management was notified of the forthcoming noncompliance report. No regulatory control action was taken. There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause within the past 90 days. The Denver District Management Team was notified through supervisory channels. This establishment maintains a Robust Systematic Approach to the Humane Handling of Livestock.

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Categories VIII: Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 7:20am while observing stunning of an older ewe with a hand-held captive bolt (HHCB) device I, the CSI, observed the following non-compliance. The plant manager was attempting to stun an older ewe that was restrained in the squeeze chute stun box. The first stun was ineffective. I observed the ewe remain standing with some movement in the box, but no vocalization. The plant manager immediately retrieved the backup (HHCB) device that was within reach and applied the second stun which rendered the ewe unconscious. I placed US reject tag No. B32311447 to chute and verbally informed the plant manager of the non-compliance and regulatory action taken. The district veterinary medical specialist was contacted through supervisory channels. Upon inspection of the dressed head, I observed a hole in the side and the muscle in front of the left ear, which did not penetrate the skull and a penetrating hole within the target zone. There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause in the past 90 days. This establishment operates under a robust systematic approach to humane handling.

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 8:45 am on February 5, 2025, while observing stunning of a white-faced black heifer with a handheld captive bolt (HHCB) device. An establishment employee was attempting to stun the animal which was restrained in a squeeze chute. I observed the first stun attempt contact the head of the animal. The animal remained standing and alert with no vocalization or reaction. Immediately the other plant employee standing next to the chute with the back-up HHCB device stepped in and delivered a second stun that rendered the animal insensible. A security poll stun was then applied with a reloaded HHCB device. I, the CSI, verified the animal was unconscious and not displaying any signs of consciousness. I placed US Reject tag no. B32311445 to the chute and informed the plant manager of the noncompliance and regulatory control action taken. The District Veterinary Medical Specialist was contacted through supervisory channels. Upon inspection of the dressed head, I observed a penetrating stun hole in the target zone as well as a penetrating stun hole below the target zone. There have been no noncompliance records documented in the past 90 days for the same root cause. This establishment operates under a robust systematic approach to the humane handling of livestock.

313.1

HATS Category II: Truck unloading At approximately 11:30 am December 16th, 2024, I CSI REDACTED observed the following non-compliance while performing a routine Humane Handling task. I observed a small livestock trailer loaded with 3 market hogs back up to be unloaded. I noticed when the trailer door was opened for hogs to be unloaded on the bottom left-hand side of the floor and frame of the door were rusted out holes with sharp rusted out metal pieces throughout the bottom of the door frame and floor upon further observation there was piece of broken plywood across the bottom floor towards the back with sharp broken pieces. Establishment Plant Slaughter lead was verbally notified of the non- compliance, and a written report would be issued.