Trenton Processing: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.1,313.2

HATS Category III – Water and Feed Availability HATS Category VII- Slips and Falls On January 15, 2025, at approximately 9:00 am while performing HATS Category IV - Ante-mortem Inspection, Veterinary Consumer Safety Officer (VCSO) Dr. REDACTED and Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) REDACTED observed the following humane handling noncompliances. Dr. REDACTED observed one steer slip and fall while being moved calmy by an establishment from pen 3 into the knockbox. The steer was able to rise without assistance after the fall and no injuries were noted on the animal. There was a buildup of manure on the pen floor. Dr. REDACTED notified the establishment owner, REDACTED, of the observations. An establishment employee cleaned the manure off of the the barn floor and then applied a non-slip grip powder. No additional slips were observed and no injuries were observed on the animal. This is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.1(b): 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. At this time, Dr. REDACTED and CSI REDACTED also observed 3 beef cattle present in the holding pens that did not have access to water because all of the water troughs in the livestock holding pens were empty. Dr. REDACTED notified Mr. REDACTED of the observations. An establishment employee immediately filled the water troughs with fresh water. This is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.2(e): 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.