Day 066 - 14 Dec 94 - Page 32
1 A. No, the product will not bind as well because the
2 products(?) have been the nature prior to processing.
3
4 Q. This can be seen when the animal is dismembered?
5 A. Oh, yes, that is correct.
6
7 Q. Can you about back to the Moscow questionnaire, the first
8 one, turn over the page from the fax message to the chart,
9 the questionnaire itself: One sees here that all the
10 questions have been answered, but against stunning practice
11 which is the last entry but one the respondent has put
12 "electrical stunning". I know you have said you have not
13 been to Russia, but do you know what the process of
14 electrical stunning in Russia entails?
15 A. It is -- I have not seen it.
16
17 Q. No, I know. I understand that. But do you know in general
18 terms what electrical stunning of cattle involves?
19 A. Yes, I do.
20
21 Q. How is it done?
22 A. It is done through a current. It goes through the
23 animal to all over the animal. It is usually located close
24 to the neck, this part.
25
26 Q. Do they use electrodes, tongs, or how do they do it?
27 A. Yes, electrodes, that is correct.
28
29 Q. Is it, in your view, a satisfactory way of stunning cattle?
30 A. Yes and no. It is a difficult question because, yes,
31 it will result, if it is done properly, it will result in
32 the desired condition which is making the animals
33 insensible. But it is more prone to abuse or not using it
34 properly, so I would still favour the captive bolt method.
35
36 Q. In relation to the captive bolt, do you favour the use of
37 head restraints or not?
38 A. If it can be done properly, yes. But normally that is
39 very difficult and it adds stress to the animal.
40
41 Q. Can I ask you to look at some of the other answers to the
42 Moscow questionnaire? One sees that it is said -- my Lord,
43 these questionnaires are the subject of Civil Evidence Act
44 notices so they are evidence of the truth of their contents
45 -- it is said that the trailers are kept in good repair;
46 it is said that non-slip flooring is used; it is said that
47 gates, fences, chutes and cages have smooth surfaces to
48 prevent bruises. Then it says that the noise level prior
49 to slaughter is not controlled; that the animals do not
50 have access to clean drinking water and they do not have
51 access to fresh air. Then it says lower down that they are
52 not rested prior to stunning and slaughtering. Do you see
53 those negative answers?
54 A. Yes, I do.
55
56 Q. I was going to ask you this: Is there any respect in which
57 this Moscow questionnaire gives you cause for concern about
58 the welfare of those particular Russian animals?
59 A. Yes, yes, absolutely.
60
