Gentle Harvest: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Gentle Harvest slaughterhouse establishment in 2022.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2022.
313.15(a)(1)
On 8/25/2022 at approximately 0740 hours, I (CSI REDACTED) observed the following non-egregious noncompliance during a Humane Handling Activity, HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness task. While stunning a market hog in the knock chute, establishment employee REDACTED missed the first stun attempt and the animal briefly vocalized and thrashed its legs. The animal showed signs of consciousness after the first stun attempt including blinking of eyes, rhythmic breathing, and tracking with its head and eyes. The employee immediately recognized the failed stun and placed an effective second stun with a captive bolt stunner that was ready within arms reach, rendering the animal unconscious. The captive bolt stunners used by the establishment are REDACTED Corporation .25 caliber, cylinder style, captive bolt stunners. I notified REDACTED (Plant Manager) of the missed stun attempt and informed him of the noncompliance. The above observation is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1)
313.15(a)(1),313.15(a)(3)
On 4/15/2022, at approximately 0930 hours while performing the Livestock Humane Handling Review and Observation task the following Noncompliance was observed: While stunning a beef (Steer) with a REDACTED Product Corp .25S caliber captive stun bolt in the knock box area, the establishment had a Mis-stun. On the first shot, the animal jerked its head to the side and the employee didn’t make an effective stun. The establishment immediately placed an effective second shot to the animal rendering it unconscious. This action was a non-egregious event. The Knock Box was Rejected with U.S Tag NO. B-45089415. This action does not comply with 9 CFR 313.15 Mechanical: captive bolt (a) Application of stunners required effect, handling. (1) The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort. (3) Immediately after the stunning blow is delivered the animals shall be in a state of complete unconsciousness and remain in this condition throughout shackling, sticking and bleeding. The FSIS Directive 6900.2: Humane Handling and Slaughter of Livestock state: Non-egregious inhumane slaughter or handling can lead to animals being injured, being exposed to unnecessary pain, or to excessive excitement or discomfort (e.g., non-egregious stunning effectiveness failures or driving animals too fast and causing a few to slip and fall) and is a noncompliance with appropriate sections of 9 CFR 313. The manager Mr. REDACTED was notified about the above non-compliance.
