Day 092 - 27 Feb 95 - Page 48


     
     1   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes, but all you need to ask is this.
     2        (To the witness):  We have the system now, it is 40 to 50
     3        lux supplemented by an element of natural lighting during
     4        the day, what does it go up to?  Are you saying that it
     5        does not go below 40?
     6        A.  That is probably, we like to have as a minimum.  That
     7        is what we try to keep.  When there is obviously a shiny
     8        day, there is no problem with that.  But to give you a
     9        better idea, it would be something like this, this court.
    10        I would say it was very close to this.
    11
    12   MS. STEEL (To the witness):  Are the curtains just raised during
    13        the summer when the weather is good?
    14        A.  It depends a lot on the environment.  It could be
    15        raised in the summer.  I mean, in the winter it could be
    16        raised in the winter to protect from the cold.
    17
    18   Q.   Sorry, are the curtains likely to remain shut during the
    19        winter?
    20        A.  It could, yes.
    21
    22   Q.   It could or it does?
    23        A.  It depends.  In the winter, the winter is not all the
    24        time cold.
    25
    26   Q.   So, basically, they are opened when it is a warm day?
    27        A.  Yes.
    28
    29   Q.   Do you have any problem with this level of lighting?
    30        A.  No, I do not.
    31
    32   Q.   Has the level of lighting always been 40 lux?
    33        A.  "Always" is a strong word.  We like to keep it that way
    34        and there is a business decision behind that.  If they are
    35        well lighted, the chicks will eat more normally and they
    36        gain more weight.  If you raise them in the dark,
    37        obviously, they will not find the feed.
    38
    39   Q.   So do you think it would be cruel to raise them in the dark
    40        then?
    41        A.  Yes, if they cannot find their feed, then they will
    42        starve.  That is cruelty.
    43
    44   Q.   If it was light enough for them to find their feed but it
    45        was still quite dim, do you think that would be cruel?
    46        A.  Cruel, no, they find their feed, no.
    47
    48   Q.   So all that matters is whether they find their food?
    49        A.  Not all of it.  You seem to be making the same
    50        assumption.  You look at one little thing and assume that 
    51        this is everything that matters.  We look at the entire 
    52        animal.  We look at the entire environment.  That is not 
    53        all we look for.
    54
    55   Q.   But in terms of cruelty as long as they have their food and
    56        their water obviously you do not ------
    57        A.  I said before, we like it to be at about 40 to 50
    58        because that is when the animals eat the most.  I have
    59        never ever seen anything below that.  No, if you do, if
    60        anybody does, they will lose money.

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