Day 018 - 26 Jul 94 - Page 80
1 A. Before they used to have a 13-bird water bath. Now
I think it is an 8-bird bath water. That is the number of
2 birds that are stunned in the bath at any one time. They
still use the same -----
3
Q. Can you identify the improvement that has led to?
4 A. I am just talking about changes, so you are having to
get me to think on my hind feet.
5
Q. Sorry.
6 A. I am having problems in identifying specific
improvements in terms of over the past 10 years. In the
7 case of Sun Valley you are asking me for something which
is very difficult because, you know, I cannot clearly
8 picture what they were doing 10 years ago. So, I think it
is almost an impossible question for me to answer. Can I
9 suggest you ask Mark Pattison?
10 MR. RAMPTON: I am just looking to see, for example, in
relation -- obviously in relation to Bowes and Midland
11 Meat Packers Dr. Gregory cannot answer any questions, but
I notice Dr. Pattison who is coming to give evidence for
12 Sun Valley has worked there for 11 years. I wonder
whether he is not the right person to ask that question.
13
MR. JUSTICE BELL: It may be. If you can think of any now --
14 obviously if someone actually comes from the particular
concern they can be asked, and if it is within their
15 experience they can give an answer. What you being asked
is whether you can think of any specific ones from your
16 knowledge and experience. One way of doing it might be to
pause for a moment and think through some of the topics
17 you were asked about by Mr. Rampton and see if that
triggers your memory in any way.
18 A. While you were mentioning that one did just do that.
This is reports from the company. It is not measurements
19 made by ourselves. In one of the reports you have I think
you will find that the birds were receiving about
20 approximately 16 milliamps each with the present stunner.
I remember talking to one of their personnel, Dr. Parry,
21 and he was saying their stunning was approximately 25
milliamps per bird. That was a long time ago. He has
22 ceased by employed by that company a long time ago. That
is approximate. Do not quote me on absolute figures. I
23 think they have increased their stunning current, but I am
not confident.
24
MR. MORRIS: That would be a definite improvement?
25 A. If they have increased their stunning current, yes,
absolutely.
26
Q. That was Sun Valley?
27 A. Another one comes to my mind, and that is one which
has occurred within this year. That is they have changed
28 to a ventral neck cutter from a back-of-the-neck cutter.
29 Q. Since you wrote your report?
A. I did make a recommendation that they consider this as
30 an option. In the code of practice it suggests that they
either cardiac arrest or if they do not cardiac arrest
