Day 094 - 01 Mar 95 - Page 34
1 A. Yes, yes, I did. They have a better relationship with
2 their suppliers of raw materials.
3
4 MR. MORRIS: McKey's do?
5 A. Yes, they do. They have a limited number of
6 suppliers. They specified, they have more requirements
7 from their suppliers. They do a more intensive testing.
8 They get involved to a higher degree in pushing government
9 regulations that would improve food safety. Those are the
10 key things.
11
12 Q. So, in fact, the McKey's plant standards there would be
13 higher than ---
14 A. I will tell you -----
15
16 Q. -- the ones in the States?
17 A. I will tell you one thing: When I went, the last time,
18 with the McDonald's global beef team that visit, that has
19 visited the major suppliers around the world, our last trip
20 was the European trip, and I was asked to compare, to
21 select the top three suppliers. McKey was one of those.
22
23 Q. Is it not true in the States that the US DA inspection has
24 been criticised for being too lax at the highest level?
25 A. In what sense?
26
27 Q. In terms of hygiene procedures and monitoring for risk of
28 food poisoning?
29 A. Yes, they have.
30
31 MR. JUSTICE BELL: The picture I get is that there is a bit of a
32 debate going on (and it probably will not be for me to
33 decide which side of it is right) as to the extent of
34 government control, as one side might put it, or government
35 interference, as the other side might put it, in the US.
36 The picture I also get is that in this country we find a
37 higher level of government control or intervention in these
38 matters acceptable than is found acceptable in the States.
39 As a very general picture, is that accurate?
40 A. Yes, it is.
41
42 MR. MORRIS: But do you know Mike Epsy?
43 A. Yes.
44
45 Q. What is his position?
46 A. I do not know what he is now today. He used to be the
47 Secretary of Agriculture.
48
49 Q. Yes. He has criticised the US DA inspection for not being
50 strong enough and aggressive enough in monitoring hygiene
51 in process plants?
52 A. That is correct.
53
54 Q. Would you agree with Mr. Epsy on that?
55 A. Yes, I do.
56
57 MS. STEEL: Is it right that until around 1992 in red meat
58 plants, as opposed to poultry, meat packers and government
59 regulators did not test meat for microbiological
60 contamination?
