Day 089 - 15 Feb 95 - Page 61


     
     1
     2   Q.   How often do you see the people from MAFF?
     3        A.  The MAFF would visit on a regular basis, probably every
     4        two or three months.
     5
     6   Q.   I think you told us earlier that they do themselves have a
     7        responsibility and a concern for animal welfare?
     8        A.  They have the ultimate authority.
     9
    10   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  This frequency and system of visits has been
    11        going on for how long?
    12        A.  This is really custom and practice, it has been going
    13        on for years.
    14
    15   Q.   Are they always appointed visits or not?
    16        A.  Most of the visits are by appointment but there are
    17        occasions where the OVS will call in -----
    18
    19   Q.   I am speaking about the customers as well as the OVS?
    20        A.  It depends on the customer. Some customers like to make
    21        appointments and visit in advance, others just appear
    22        unannounced.
    23
    24   MR. RAMPTON:  Are there also in the plant meat inspectors?
    25        A.  There are ten full-time meat inspectors, five work on
    26        each shift.
    27
    28   Q.   They are not concerned directly with animal welfare?
    29        A.  No, part of their duty is to monitor certain things
    30        like unloading and stunning, so they have a duty there as
    31        well.
    32
    33   Q.   Can we move from the live animal to the dead one, please,
    34        Dr. Pattison.
    35
    36   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Shall we take our break there.  It is a
    37        little early but if it is a convenient moment??
    38
    39   MR. RAMPTON:  My Lord, certainly.
    40
    41                       (Short Adjournment)
    42
    43   MR. RAMPTON:  Dr. Pattison, within the general area of your
    44        responsibility at Sun Valley, does food safety come under
    45        your umbrella?
    46        A.  Food safety is part of my responsibility, yes.
    47
    48   Q.   What, so far as chickens are concerned in the preparation
    49        of products for sale and consumption, is the principal
    50        hazard to human health? 
    51        A.  Chickens can carry two principal food poisoning 
    52        organisms: campylobacter and salmonella. 
    53
    54   Q.   I think you said earlier that E.coli 0157: H is not
    55        something you encountered?
    56        A.  That does not occur in chickens.
    57
    58   Q.   Were you present in Sun Valley when it was visited by
    59        Mr. Richard North on behalf of the Defendants?
    60        A.  Yes, I was.

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