CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec

Crimes Without ConsequenCes
cases when NOIEs were issued for humane violations, problems continued and the plants
later received a suspension of inspection. 155
The FSIS may temporarily suspend the assignment of inspectors to all or part of a
plant’s operations for violations of federal humane handling and slaughter regulations.
The rules of practice state that the FSIS may impose a suspension without providing the
establishment prior notification if the establishment is handling or slaughtering animals
inhumanely. The suspension may be held in abeyance if corrective actions are put into
effect. 156 In fact, suspensions are typically held in abeyance within 48 hours of the
incident, although occasionally lengthy suspensions are imposed on slaughter plants.
Notes
Table 14. Summary of Federal Plant Suspensions
January 1, 1998 to September 30, 2007
Year # NOIE # Suspensions Total Days Suspended
1998 0 7 23 a
1999 0 2 11
2000 0 1 3
2001 0 4 17
2002 4 4 99 b
2003 1 9 28
2004 2 7 30
2005 3 11 146 c,d
2006 0 14 23
2007 e 2 9 58
Total 12 68 438 f
a Data missing for one suspension case.
b Includes one suspension of 75 days.
c Includes one suspension of 77 days.
d Data missing for two suspension cases.
e Data for January 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007.
f Data missing for three suspension cases.
155 Gibbon Packing (Gibbon, Neb.) received NOIEs on January 30, 2004 and a suspension on March 10,
2004 for humane violations. Huse’s Processing (Malone, Texas) received NOIE on October 30, 2003 and a
suspension on November 25, 2003 for humane violations, Stagno’s Meat (Modesto, Calif.) received NOIE on
May 17, 2007 and a suspension on May 24, 2007. See Appendix C for description of violations.
156 Quarterly Enforcement Report, p. 15; 9 CFR 500.3.
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