USDA 

iilllllllllll 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Food Safety and Inspection 

Service 

Office of Field Operations 

Jackson District Office 

713 S Pear Orchard Rd. 

Plaza 2, Suite 402 

Ridgeland, MS 39157 

April 17, 2023 

Fayette Packing Company 

Est. M6555 ELECTRONIC MAIL on April 17, 2023 

16620 Highway 196 FEDEX TRACKING 397041609211 

Eads, Tennessee 38028 

fayettepackingco@bellsouth.net 

901-867-3826 

Attention: David Keith, Owner 

NOTICE OF SUSPENSION HELD IN ABEYANCE 

On April 13, 2023, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a 

Notice of Suspension to suspend the assignment of inspectors for your federal 

slaughter activities at Fayette Packing Company, Est. M6555, located at 16620 

Highway 196, Eads, TN 38028. This action was based on your establishment’s 

failure to handle livestock humanely according to 9 CFR Part 313. Specifically, 

on April 13, 2023, at approximately 1248 hours, the CSI observed Fayette 

Packing, Establishment M6555, stunning a beef cow. The beef cow was driven 

into the knock chute, the head gate closed, and the nose clamp applied to control 

the head. The establishment followed their stunning procedure with three stuns 

rapidly successive with a handheld captive bolt device. The three stuns were 

ineffective as the animal remaining standing and vocalizing. A second 

establishment kill floor employee reloaded the captive bolt device with a new 

charge and delivered a fourth and effective corrective action stun with a 

handheld captive bolt device, rendering the animal insensible and it remained so 

thereafter. The stun operator delivered a security stun per the establishments 

stunning procedures. U.S. Reject tag No. B43049256 was applied to the knock 

box and David Keith, Establishment Owner, was notified of the noncompliance 

with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) and 9 CFR 313.15(a)(3). 

On April 14, 2023, you submitted your first response with written corrective 

actions and preventive measures to meet the requirements of the Humane 

Methods of Slaughter Act. The Jackson District Office (JDO) analyzed your 

response and advised you that the proffered corrective actions and preventive 

measures were not adequate. A request for clarification was sent via electronic 

mail from the JDO to your establishment on April 14, 2023. 

On April 14, 2023, you submitted your second response with written corrective 

actions and preventive measures to meet the requirements of the Humane 

Methods of Slaughter Act. The Jackson District Office analyzed your response 

and determined that the response adequately addressed the identified issues. On 

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David Keith, Owner Notice of Suspension Held in Abeyance 

Fayette Packing Company, Est. M6555 April 17, 2023 

April 14, 2023, at 2:50 PM CST, the Deputy District Manager verbally notified you that the 

corrective actions and preventive measures you proffered were adequate to meet the regulatory 

requirements and to place Fayette Packing Company, Est. M6555, under abeyance. This letter 

formally informs you of this action. Specifically, you stated that after close evaluation of the 

video evidence, you came to the conclusion that your slaughter employee was in need of 

retraining; you stated that your slaughter employee was instructed verbally on the correct way to 

handle the bolt stun gun and shown the diagram of the beef head stun gun recommendations set 

by Temple Grandin; you stated that you have a diagram of beef stun recommendations will be 

placed outside of your kill area for refreshers on beef stun training; you stated that daily preslaughter testing will be completed for your establishment stun devices and the testing/firing 

results will be recorded on your establishment’s inspection and cleaning log; you stated that the 

frequency of training for all your slaughter employees will be done on a quarterly basis; you 

stated that all of your slaughter employees will complete the retraining this quarter with your 

new quarterly training requirements to ensure all your employees are refreshed on what is 

required of them during the slaughter process; you stated your equipment cleaning records are 

done daily and stored on your Stunning Equipment Check and Maintenance Log; you stated that 

during your daily inspection of the stun gun equipment, you will be checking for such problems 

(i.e., firing pens and O-rings) and testing the guns before use in your slaughter room; you stated 

that you will store your ammunition in your HACCP Coordinator’s office to ensure no damage is 

caused by climate; you stated that you will implement a weekly check of employee restraining 

and stunning procedures and address any problems that may arise; you stated that any employee 

in need of retraining will be recorded in your Retraining folder; you provided your Stunning 

Equipment Check and Maintenance Log; you provided the Recommended Captive Bolt Stunning 

Techniques for Cattle by Temple Grandin; you provided your Slaughter hazard analysis; you 

provided your Employee Re-Training Program and the description of your Employee ReTraining and you provided your HACCP Corrective Action Log. 

A copy of the FSIS Verification Plan (VP) will be provided to assist you in understanding the 

nature and importance 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 corrective actions and preventive measures stated in your April 14, 2023, 

response and that these revisions and corrective actions and preventive measures are effective in 

ensuring future regulatory compliance. The FSIS Verification Plan identifies your corrective 

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

the implementation and effectiveness of your proffered action plan. 

Please be further advised that this suspension of inspection at your establishment will remain in 

Abeyance pending verification by FSIS that your proposed corrective actions and preventive 

measures have been implemented and are effective in ensuring future regulatory compliance. 

Agency personnel will begin immediate verification of your corrective actions and preventive 

measures. 

It is important 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 

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y 

David Keith, Owner Notice of Suspension Held in Abeyance 

Fayette Packing Company, Est. M6555 April 17, 2023 

comply with the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. In these situations, FSIS personnel will take 

regulatory control of product or other appropriate action. 

Please be advised that as a federally inspected establishment, you are expected to comply with 

the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and all applicable 

regulations and other requirements concerning the preparation, sale, and transportation of meat 

products. Failure to comply with these requirements or to effectively implement the measures 

addressed in your responses, dated April 14, 2023, could result in the immediate suspension of 

inspection at your establishment or other appropriate action(s). 

If you have any questions about this action, please contact the Jackson District Office at (601) 

965-4312. 

Sincerely, 

Digitally signed by CLAURIC CLAURICE BUCKLEY 

Date 2023 04 17 BUCKLEY 07 09 53 -05'00' 

Dr. Larry Davis 

District Manager 

Jackson District Office 

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David Keith, Owner Notice ofSuspension Held in Abeyance 

Fayette Packing Company, Est. M6555 April 17, 2023 

Cc: Mr. Paul Wolseley, EARO 

, Humane Handling Enforcement Coordinator 

al Director 

Dr. Kennit Harvey, DDM 

0 

DCS 

s 

at Est. M6555 

, CSI at Est. M6555 

FO/Qua1terly Repo1ts 

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