Day 018 - 26 Jul 94 - Page 83


     
     1        of having things in my mind, other sources of knowledge
              which may not be supported by the evidence in this case.
     2        Are pigs among animals who are slaughtered for food
              particularly susceptible to stress; you compare them with
     3        cattle for instance, both in the animal itself and in the
              effect on the meat if the animal suffers stress before
     4        being slaughtered?
              A.  I think because they are quite difficult animals to
     5        handle in a dignified and smooth manner, they are prone to
              being stressed by the sorts of handling procedures used in
     6        abattoirs.  I think they are prone to it because of their
              behavioral characteristics.  They are difficult animals to
     7        handle.  It is a difficult situation for the personnel to
              achieve in a satisfactory manner.  I am sympathetic about
     8        it.  In terms of the quality of the meat, there are two
              ways in which you can affect meat through preslaughter
     9        stress, and there is only one which is relevant to the
              slaughterhouse situation.  That is if the pig becomes
    10        overheated through stress.  That can happen and it an
              precipitate one of the poor meat quality conditions called
    11        pale soft exudative pork.
 
    12   MR. MORRIS:  I do not know when you plan to break?
 
    13   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Well, any time now in fact.
 
    14   MR. MORRIS:  We have reached the end of a section here.
 
    15   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Do you want to break off now?
 
    16   MR. MORRIS:  Yes.
 
    17   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Thank you.
 
    18                       (The witness withdrew).
 
    19   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  How do you think you are going to go now
              with Dr. Gregory?  Can you give a useful estimate?
    20
         MS. STEEL:   I do not know about useful.
    21
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Do your best.
    22
         MS. STEEL:   We are going to aim to finish tomorrow.
    23
         MR. MORRIS:  We cannot give any guarantees on it.
    24
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I just want an indication so we can see
    25        where we are going.  We will resume I hope by 10.30.  As I
              have said, I have something else at 9.30.  I will be 
    26        disappointed if I am not back here by 10.30. 
  
    27
                   (The court adjourned until the following day).
    28
 
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    30
 

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