Fillmore Beef Co.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Fillmore Beef Co. slaughterhouse establishment in 2023.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2023.
313.2
On June 20, 2023 CSI REDACTED accompanied Fillmore Beef owner REDACTED to the barn for antemortem (Hats Category IV) at approximately 0600. A non-ambulatory Holstein steer was laying down on its sternum in the barn alleyway. Mr. REDACTED stated that the animal had been left in the alley by a livestock hauler who had dropped animals off sometime the previous afternoon. The animal had been confined to the large alleyway with no access to water since the time of drop off (HATS Category III). A plant employee brought a bucket of water for the steer. Mr. REDACTED was notified that a non-compliance would be issued for failure to meet regulatory requirements for 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.”
313.16(a)(1)
On Friday March 31, 2023 at approximately 0940 AM, I, CSI REDACTED, while performing the humane handling task, observed an ineffective stun of a Highland steer in the barn. Using a .22 rifle, the employee knocking, REDACTED, delivered the first shot from approximately six feet away, striking the steers head with no success. The steer threw its head back and then stepped forward, REDACTED immediately took the second shot rendering the animal unconscious. At postmortem inspection, there were two distinct holes in the skull, one appeared to be low and off to the right, into the nasal cavity. I then notified owner, REDACTED, that a noncompliance was being issued. This is a violation of regulation 313.16 (a)(1) Immediate unconsciousness (gunshot,) which states, “Utilization of firearms, required effect; handling. (1) The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be shot in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort” HATS Category VIII- Stunning Effectiveness This document serves as notification that continued failure to meet regulatory requirement(s) could result in additional regulatory or administrative action.
313.15(a)(3)
On Tuesday October 25, 2022, at approximately 1010, I CSI REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance at Fillmore Beef (M10036). While preforming inspection on the viscera cart, I heard a loud bellow come from the sticking area of the Fillmore Beef kill floor. As I approached, I witnessed the plant manager cut the hide of a shackled steer to bleed the animal. With each cut, the steer flinched and vocalized a total of three vocalizations. At this point, only the steer’s hide had been cut. I observed the tongue of the steer visible outside its mouth; tense and curled to the side. I also observed the eyes of the steer to be tracking the movement of the people around it and the animal blinked several times. The manager then tried to sever the spinal cord just above the skull but was unsuccessful. Another employee then stepped in the make the cut and the animal stopped moving. I notified the plant manager of the forth coming noncompliance, instructed him to stop operations, and stated that I would need to contact my supervisor. U.S. Rejected tag number NO.B-45746647 was placed on the knocking area until further notice. Upon postmortem inspection of the steer’s head, I found that the knock hole was centered but appeared low. The angle of the hole was straight and penetrated the skull approximately two inches. When feeling inside the knock hole no brain matter was palpable, only bone.
