Day 067 - 15 Dec 94 - Page 37


     
     1        you mean; is that what you are saying?
     2        A.  That is correct.  We do have extensive communication
     3        with our suppliers, not only in the US but around the
     4        world.  Prior to approval of any supplier, we go over all
     5        of the applicable laws and regulations; we go over our
     6        policies; we go over our procedures; we go over our agreed
     7        upon levels of performance, so they do understand -- if you
     8        let me finish, sir -- so there is an agreement.  They do
     9        sign the specifications.  By signing these specifications,
    10        we are verifying that they understand the intent and the
    11        content of the specifications which include our products
    12        specifications, our policies and procedures as well as all
    13        applicable laws and regulations.
    14
    15   Q.   But you do not put it in the specifications?  Obviously,
    16        you put the things in the specifications that you feel are
    17        important, do you not?
    18        A.  Yes, you ask me two questions.  Let me answer the first
    19        one.  There is not possible to write everything in detail,
    20        all of the laws and regulations that McDonald's Corporation
    21        is subjected to, in one single document.  You have seen in
    22        this courtroom a lot of the documents that we have
    23        provided.  It is not practical to include every single
    24        detail in a product specification in our requirements.
    25        Therefore, we go after the intents of the specifications
    26        where are explained in our product specifications.
    27
    28   Q.   You emphasise the things that you consider important; is
    29        that correct?
    30        A.  Let me answer your second question.  The things that we
    31        imply and describe in the specifications is to ensure the
    32        quality of our products, the consistency of our quality,
    33        the safety of our products as well as to everything that we
    34        need to comply with, it will be included in the
    35        specifications.
    36
    37   Q.   The ones that we have here?
    38        A.  The product specification, that is correct.
    39
    40   Q.   OK.  Everything that the suppliers need to comply with are
    41        specified; there is nothing in the specifications about
    42        animal welfare, is there?
    43        A.  As I said it before -----
    44
    45   Q.   Not in the text, not in the text?
    46        A.  In the text?
    47
    48   Q.   Nothing is there.
    49
    50   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  There is actually nothing in the footnote 
    51        either, is there, about animal welfare?  It is, surely, 
    52        directed at Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, but it is directed 
    53        at food legislation in the USA and at, I would have
    54        assumed, comparable -- in fact, it says "food, laws and
    55        regulations in countries outside the States".  I have to
    56        say it does not appear to me to refer to animal welfare
    57        legislation at all, either directly or by inference.  If
    58        that be a proper reaction, where that takes us, we will
    59        have to see, but it does not look as if there is any
    60        reference to animal welfare legislation or regulation, does

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