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Herfurth Brothers

Address: Route 209, Gilbert, PA 18331
Establishment No.: m09465

USDA Inspection Report: 24 Jan 2011

Code: 04C02
Violation: 313.1, 313.2

Citation: ***HAT CATEGORY II: TRUCK UNLOADING & HAT CATEGORY VII: OBSERVATION FOR SLIPS & FALLS*** On 24 January 2011, at approximately 1201 hrs, whilst performing an unscheduled ISP procedure code 04C02, I performed verification of humane activity tracking categories II (Truck unloading) and VII (Observation for slips & falls). During my observation of the unloading of twenty swine from the trailer that is utilized to move swine from the barns to the holding pens just prior to the slaughter area, I observed the Barns Man, Mr [redacted] move swine off the trailer with a minimum of excitement; none of these twenty swine were moving faster than a normal walking speed. However, I observed the penultimate (second to the last) hog in this group stumble just before exiting the trailer, causing some discomfort to the hog. The last hog exited the trailer without slipping and falling, this being immediately after the penultimate pig had slipped briefly. I observed the area where the pig slipped and fell and observed that there was a hole in the wooden floor of the trailer that was approximately 3 cm in width and 30 cm in length. I took immediate regulatory control action and affixed US Rejected/US Retained tag number B8919428 to the outside of the trailer. Mr [redacted] was notified of the noncompliance at the time of occurrence. Additionally, when I applied the tag to the trailer, I noted that the steel panel located to the right rear of the trailer is rusty and has rusted through in various locations very close to the floor of the trailer. Mr [redacted] tacked a thin board in place over the hole in the floor of the trailer and piled peanut shells and shavings to a depth such that the hole in the steel panel would be buried beneath the deep layer of shavings. I was informed that these would be temporary repairs pending a more permanent solution to the problem. I was satisfied with these temporary measures and removed the US Rejected/US Retained tag at approximately 1220 hrs. The establishment is not in compliance with the following regulations: 9 CFR 313.1(a), which states the following: "Livestock pens, driveways and ramps shall be maintained in good repair. They shall be free from sharp or protruding objects which 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."; 9 CFR 313.1(b), which states the following: "Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock. Slip resistant or waffled floor surfaces, cleated ramps and the use of sand, as appropriate, during winter months are examples of acceptable construction and maintenance."; 9 CFR 313.2(a), which states the following: "Driving of livestock from the unloading ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Livestock shall not be forced to move faster than a normal walking speed."

Regulation:

313.1(b) Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock. Slip resistant or waffled floor surfaces, cleated ramps and the use of sand, as appropriate, during winter months are examples of acceptable conctruction and maintenance.

313.2(a) Driving of livestock from the unloading ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Livestock shall not be forced to move faster than a normal walking speed.

 

Next Report: USDA Inspection Report: 7 Feb 2011
Previous Report: USDA Inspection Report: 12 Jan 2011

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