Day 018 - 26 Jul 94 - Page 54


     
     1        Firstly, it is the number of animals involved; secondly,
              it is the intensity of suffering and, thirdly, it is the
     2        duration of suffering.  It is a product of those three
              things.
     3
              So where one has a general statement like this, it
     4        immediately raises the question:  What particular aspects
              are they considering?  Are they considering the prevalence
     5        of a disease or disorder?  Now, many people in animal
              welfare science would consider that one of the main
     6        welfare problems in dairy industry is laminitis.
 
     7   Q.   Laminitis?
              A.  That is a form of lameness for the dairy cow.
     8
         Q.   At what sort average age of onset?
     9        A.  That varies considerably between environmental
              situations.  Now, in this country I would not like to say
    10        when it happens.  It is usually associated with the
              conditions in which the cows are exposed, like wet
    11        conditions under foot, if it has to trample through silage
              effluent which is particularly acidic; it can be
    12        associated with nutrition prior to calving and during -- a
              sudden change, increase in the plane of nutrition at
    13        calving; it can be a metabolic acidosis leading to a
              secondary laminitis.
    14
              Accepting that is an important welfare problem in the
    15        dairy industry, if this is what is being implied in this
              particular comment, then we have to consider in greater
    16        depth what is actually meant.  Firstly, what is the
              prevalence to the number of cows?  What is the intensity
    17        of suffering and what is the duration of suffering?  So
              I think we need to be a bit more substantial in the
    18        comment about a great deal of suffering.
 
    19   Q.   Or a bit more specific?
              A.  I think that is a better terminology, yes, thank you.
    20
         Q.   What I was going to ask you is this:  If, in due course,
    21        it should emerge more clearly what the defendants mean by,
              either through or one of their witnesses, should we
    22        address communication to you in New Zealand for comment or
              would it be more appropriate for us to go back to Bristol
    23        and find another person who used to be a part of your
              team?
    24        A.  I would be happy for you to go back to other people at
              Bristol.  I would recommended particular people in this
    25        respect too.
  
    26   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Do not do it at this stage. 
  
    27   MR. RAMPTON:  There is no need to do it now.  I was only asking
              about the future conduct.
    28        A.  But if you want to drag me across the world, I will
              come!
    29
         Q.   Then, please, turn to page 4 of this document.  Look at
    30        the fourth paragraph ---
              A.  Yes.

Prev Next Index