CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec

enforCement of federal laW in u.s. Plants
An analysis of the 432 NRs supplied by the FSIS revealed a total of 501 humane
handling or humane slaughter violations at 229 plants. 102 The types of violations cited
are summarized in Table 11. Although most records documented only one violation, in
some cases multiple violations were noted. Moreover, nearly 40 percent of the NRs noted
multiple instances of a violation.
Water in pens
The most commonly cited humane handling and slaughter deficiency at federally
inspected slaughter facilities was the failure to provide water to animals in holding areas.
Federal regulations state: “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if
held longer than 24 hours, access to feed.” 103 Following are examples from federal NRs
of failure to provide access to water:
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Out of 22 bison and 1 beef steer, the steer and nine of the bison were without
water and had no access to water. The bison had a barrel that had been cut in
half for water. This barrel was covered with fecal material and slime and held a
slight amount of green, slimy water. 104
I noted that one of the bulls, deemed by the establishment as too large to
slaughter at this facility, was lying dead in Pen 14. There were several other
large bulls also in the pen. The dead bull’s eyes were sunken suggesting
dehydration, and upon closer inspection, the waterer supplying water to Pens
14 and 13 was found to be empty. These bulls had been held on establishment’s
premises since 10/03/03. 105
One pen holding animals had no water tank, one water tank in another pen was
dry, and several water tanks in other pens were frozen over so animals had no
access to water. 106
Pens or grounds in good repair
The second most commonly cited humane handling and slaughter deficiency was the
failure to maintain facilities in good repair. Federal regulations state, “Livestock pens,
driveways and ramps shall be maintained in good repair. They shall be free from sharp
or protruding objects that may, in the opinion of the inspector, cause injury or pain to the
animals. Loose boards, splintered or broken planking, and unnecessary openings where
the head, feet, or legs of an animal may be injured shall be repaired.” 107 Following are
examples of failure to maintain pens and other facilities in good repair:
102 A list of all federal plants cited for humane violations, October 1, 2002 to March 31, 2004, is presented in
Appendix E.
103 9 CFR 313.2(e).
104 NR issued to plant #11032M on March 10, 2004.
105 NR issued to plant #00532M on October 7, 2003.
106 NR issued to plant #17466M on November 12, 2003.
107 9 CFR 313.1(a).
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