United States Department 

--

of Agriculture 

Food Safety and 

Inspection Service 

Office of Field 

Operations 

Atlanta District Office 

100 Alabama St., SW. 

Suite 3R90 

Atlanta, GA. 30303 

Phone: 404-562-5900 

Fax: 404-562-5877 

Toll Free: 

800-282-7005 

CERTIFIED MAIL 

October 25, 2023 

Nettles Beef Processing, Inc. 

M44200 

147 S.W. County Road 240 

Lake City, FL 32025 

nettlesbeef@yahoo.com 

(368) 397-5053 

NOTICE OF SUSPENSION HELD IN ABEYANCE 

Dear Mr. William J. Nettles: 

On October 12, 2023, the Food Safety, and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a 

Notice of Suspension (NOS) withholding the marks of inspection and 

suspending the assignment of slaughter inspection program personnel for 

livestock slaughter at Nettles Beef Processing, Inc., Est. M4420, located at 

147 S.W. County Road 240, Lake City, FL 32025. This action was based on 

your establishment’s failure to handle livestock humanely according to 9 

CFR Part 313. 

On October 19, 2023, you submitted written corrective actions and preventive 

measures to meet the requirements of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. 

Your corrective actions and preventive measures included: training employees, 

installing a new restraining cage, addressing firearm selection and stunning 

location based on species/breed/age/sex, and reviewing and modifying the 

humane handling plan. 

On October 23, 2023, FSIS determined that the proffered corrective actions 

and preventive measures submitted were not adequate to properly address the 

inhumane handling incident and clarification was requested. Specifically, 

FSIS requested clarification regarding: the exact cause of the failed stunning 

attempts, how the new restraining cage will better restrain rams and when it 

will be installed, and further details regarding employee training (copy of 

training materials, sketches used for training of proper firearm placement on 

animal head, and records documenting training). 

1 
 

 

Mr. William J. Nettles, Owner Notice of Suspension Held in Abeyance 

Nettles Beef Processing, Inc., M44200 October 25, 2023 

Records supporting monitoring of stunning effectiveness are also needed. The records 

currently do not provide information regarding the number of animals being killed each 

day of slaughter; what is being monitored regarding stunning effectiveness; the time each 

observation was made; the type of animal being stunned and any identifying marks; the 

results of monitoring of stunning effectiveness for each animal stunned; if any additional 

stuns were applied; the type of stunning device used; and the initials or signature of the 

person performing the monitoring. 

On October 23, 2023, you submitted your second response to provide clarification to 

your proffered corrective actions. Your response included: improper headshot 

positioning as the cause for the failed stunning attempts, a description of the features and 

maintenance of the new restraining cage, a copy of employee training materials, sketches 

used for training of proper firearm placement on animal head, and records documenting 

training. 

On October 23, 2023, you also submitted a revised copy of the record to be used to 

document monitoring of stunning effectiveness. This record includes the number of 

animals being killed each day of slaughter; what is being monitored regarding stunning 

effectiveness (open eyes, limp tongue, no arching of the neck, no twitching of the nose, 

floppy head, no vocalizing); the time each observation was made; the type of animal 

being stunned and any identifying marks; the results of monitoring of stunning 

effectiveness for each animal stunned; if any additional stuns were applied; the type of 

stunning device used and caliber; and the initials or signature of the person performing 

the monitoring. 

On October 24, 2023, FSIS determined that the proffered corrective actions and 

preventive measures submitted were not adequate to properly address the inhumane 

handling incident and additional clarification was requested. Specifically, FSIS requested 

clarification regarding how the new restraining cage is able to accommodate small 

ruminants and what firearms will be used primarily and secondarily and for which 

species. 

On October 24, 2023, you submitted your third response to provide clarification to your 

proffered corrective actions. Your response included: specific size adjustments on the 

new restraining cage; a description of how employees determine the appropriate firearm 

based on species; a statement that if a mis-stun is due to firearm, a change in firearm or 

cartridge will be used for the secondary shot. 

On October 24, 2023, you were verbally notified by FSIS that the corrective actions and 

preventive measures met the requirements to place Nettles Beef Processing, LLC, Est. 

M44200, in Abeyance and that a Notice of Suspension Held in Abeyance (NOSHA) and 

Verification Plan (VP) would be issued. You are hereby being provided written 

notification of the Notice of Suspension Held in Abeyance. 

2 
Mr. William J. Nettles, Owner Notice of Suspension Held in Abeyance 

Nettles Beef Processing, Inc., M44200 October 25, 2023 

Please be fmther advised that the suspension of inspection at your establishment will 

remain in abeyance pending verification by FSIS that your proposed coITective actions 

and preventive measures have been implemented and are effective in ensuring future 

regulato1y compliance and preventing the inhumane treatment of animals. Agency 

personnel will begin immediate verification of your coITective actions and preventive 

measures. 

A copy of the FSIS Verification Plan is attached to assist you in understanding the nature 

and impo1tance of the agency's verification activities. The FSIS Verification Plan is 

designed to verify that your establishment fully implements the revisions to its humane 

handling of animals and other coITective actions stated in your responses, and that these 

revisions and coITective actions are effective in ensuring future regulato1y compliance. 

The FSIS Verification Plan identifies your proposed coITective actions, the regulato1y 

requirement(s), and the PHIS Task under which FSIS officials will verify the 

implementation and effectiveness ofyour proposed action plan. 

Please be reminded that as a federally inspected establishment, you are expected to 

comply with FSIS regulations and to take appropriate actions to prevent the inhumane 

handling of animals. It is impo1t ant for you to understand that FSIS has the 

responsibility to initiate action if your establishment fails to operate in accordance with 

the regulations, or conditions occur that do not comply with the Humane Methods of 

Slaughter Act. Please be advised that failure to comply with these regulato1y 

requirements or failure to effectively implement your proposed coITective actions and 

preventive measures could result in the immediate suspension of inspection at your 

establishment or other appropriate action. 

Ifyou have any questions, please contact the Atlanta District Office at 404-562-5900. 

Sincerely, 

Digitally signed PHYLLIS byPHYWS 

ADAMS ADAMS 0ate, 202J.10.2s 

14:24:18 -04W 

Dr. Phyllis Adams 

District Manager 

3 
Mr. William J. Nettles, Owner Notice of Suspension Held in Abeyance 

Nettles BeefProcessing, Inc., M44200 October 25, 2023 

cc: Karen Hunter, EARO 

Ph His Adams DM 

, Humane Handling Enforcement Coordinator 

Lany Hoite1i, OIEA Regional Director 

Edward Hepburn, DDM 

Barney Welch, DDM 

Trac B1 ant DDM 

, SEIAO 

DCS 

, DVMS 

, SPHV 

FO/Qua1ierly Repo1is 

4