Day 115 - 06 Apr 95 - Page 45


     
     1   Q.   It says -- it was 11th August 1993 -- "Mr. John Bruton was
     2        employed as a poultry catcher with Sun Valley Poultry from
     3        23rd November 1987 until 10th June 1993.  Whilst in our
     4        employment his work and attendance was good.  Yours
     5        faithfully, Stewart Rhoney, Operations Manager".  Is that
     6        correct, is that the reference you were given?
     7        A.  Yes, at that time I was dismissed Stewart Rhoney was
     8        not the operations manager.  There was a man called Geoff
     9        Boule.
    10
    11   Q.   So this was written by the manager?
    12        A.  They was just on the change over.  Like, Friday of this
    13        week when I was sacked, Jeff Boule was in charge of the
    14        catching operation and Stewart Rhoney started on the
    15        Monday.
    16
    17   MS. STEEL:   No further questions.
    18
    19                  Cross-Examined by Mr. Rampton Q.C.
    20
    21   Q.   Mr. Bruton, did you ever kick birds to get them out of the
    22        way to make room for the crates or whatever they are?
    23        A.  Yes, I did.
    24
    25   Q.   Did you ever pick them up by the wings or the neck?
    26        A.  Yes, I did.
    27
    28   Q.   You know that kind of behaviour was directly contrary to
    29        the company's instructions, do you not?
    30        A.  Not really, sir, no.
    31
    32   Q.   You do not?  I apologise for this question but it is
    33        something the Defendants told us earlier.  Can you read?
    34        A.  Not very well.
    35
    36   Q.   Not very well.  When you took your job at Sun Valley, was
    37        it explained to you that birds must not be held or
    38        supported by their wings, neck or tail?
    39        A.  No.
    40
    41   Q.   It was not.  Was it explained to you that loading too many
    42        birds in a crate causes the factory problems?
    43        A.  Yes.
    44
    45   Q.   Was it explained to that it is the responsibility of every
    46        catcher to ensure that no bird is trapped in the module?
    47        A.  No.
    48
    49   Q.   Was it explained to you that smothering birds causes loss
    50        to the grower, loss to the foreman's bonus and contravenes 
    51        the Bird Welfare Act? 
    52        A.  Of birds being smothered, yes. 
    53
    54   Q.   Was it explained to you that anyone mistreating birds must
    55        be sent back to Hereford and his supervisor informed?
    56        A.  No.
    57
    58   Q.   It was not?  You were never sent back to Hereford for your
    59        mistreatment of the birds?
    60        A.  No.

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