Day 095 - 02 Mar 95 - Page 56
1 Q. Tell us what it is?
2 A. This is our policy, the concept of our humane treatment
3 of animal policy.
4
5 Q. In the second paragraph it says: "McDonald's believes the
6 humane treatment of animals is a moral responsibility." Is
7 that true or false?
8 A. It is true, absolutely true.
9
10 Q. It says: "The company fully respects the independence of
11 its suppliers and relies on them to adhere to pertinent
12 laws, regulations and industry guidelines concerning the
13 humane treatment of animals." Does the company take that
14 position?
15 A. Absolutely.
16
17 Q. Do you trust your suppliers?
18 A. Absolutely.
19
20 Q. Do you think you can rely on them?
21 A. Absolutely.
22
23 Q. Are there laws and regulations which govern the humane
24 treatment of animals?
25 A. Yes, there are.
26
27 Q. In the slaughterhouse there are USDA inspectors, are there
28 not?
29 A. That is correct.
30
31 Q. Do those inspectors have any animal welfare
32 responsibilities?
33 A. Yes, they do.
34
35 Q. What powers do they have if, in their opinion, the
36 slaughterhouse is not properly looking after the welfare of
37 the animals in accordance with the law?
38 A. They have the same power they have when they are inside
39 the plant. They can stop any part of the process from the
40 unloading of the animals from the time they go through the
41 process at any stage.
42
43 Q. Industry guidelines are mentioned there. If you turn over,
44 if you put that one away for a moment and turn to the next
45 document in the bundle, you see a letter from Monfort dated
46 9th December 1992?
47 A. Yes.
48
49 Q. Do you have that?
50 A. Yes, I do.
51
52 Q. Then attached to it is quite a long document marked
53 "Confidential" which deals with Monfort's cattle animal
54 welfare policy. Then a specific, starting two pages on,
55 provision for the welfare of animals at feed lots. Do you
56 see that?
57 A. Yes, I do.
58
59 Q. Have you seen this document before?
60 A. Yes, I have.
