Eagle Grove Cooperative: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Eagle Grove Cooperative slaughterhouse establishment in 2024.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2024.
313.2
On 9/9/2024, While performing a Routine Livestock Humane Handling HATS task Category II (truck unloading) at approximately 1224pm I observed the following noncompliance. While in the barn truck unloading area, I observed in truck unloading bay 1 the truck driver unloading the semi-truck. I was in the alley way between bay 1 and 2 at the last pass-through gate closest to the semi-truck. I observed a hog facing the front of the semi-truck. The truck driver grabbed the right ear of the hog and pulled on the ear up and to the side to turn the hog around. I heard the hog vocalize while the truck driver was doing this. I took an immediate regulatory control action and told Supervisor/ Hog procurement manager Mr. REDACTED what I had observed. Mr. REDACTED stopped the truck driver from further unloading. An establishment employee finish unloading the truck and Mr. REDACTED address the truck driver. I observed Mr. REDACTED address the driver to confirm the observation. I placed my U.S. Reject tag NO.B-45256051 over all the bays and instructed plant management that truck unloading will stop. IPP contacted the district office through supervisory channels for further guidance. At approximately 1350 hours, after the establishment provided immediate corrective actions and further preventive measures, I removed my tag and truck unloading resume. Mr. REDACTED was informed of the forthcoming noncompliance record
313.15(a)(2),313.1,313.2
On 2/16/2024 at 0910 I, REDACTED (CSI) after I performed the HATS Category IV- Handling During Ante Mortem Inspection, I observed the noncompliance of the HATS Category VI-Electric Prodding/Alternative Object Use. I was walking through the animal drive alley area to go to the front exit, and I observed the following noncompliance. An establishment employee was driving the hogs up to the alleyway for CO2 stunning. I was standing behind the hogs and waiting for them to move, to have a clear path to exit the drive alley. The employee was using a rattle paddle to move the hogs forward, and the hogs became increasingly excited. The hogs were trying to run back past the employee multiple times. He started to use the paddle raised over shoulder height and striking the hogs on the side of the face close to the hogs’ jaws. Approximately 5-6 hogs were balking, and they did not want to move. Establishments are to use implements (prods, paddles) as little as possible to minimize excitement and injury and are not to drive livestock faster than a normal walking speed. Any use of such implements that, in the opinion of the inspector, is excessive is prohibited. REDACTED (Barn Supervisor) was present also at the time of the incident. We were verbally trying to get the employee's attention and tell him that that is not the proper way to move the animals. Supervisor REDACTED talked to the employee and removed him from that area. REDACTED (Harvest Floor Supervisor) and REDACTED (Animal Welfare Procurement Coordinator) were notified about this incident. Establishment personnel notified me that the employee that was involved will be retrain and will receive disciplinary action. REDACTED (FSQA Manager) and REDACTED (Harvest Floor Superintended) are also notified about the noncompliance, and that the NR will be issued.
