Day 067 - 15 Dec 94 - Page 39


     
     1        A.  When we have meanings, quality assurance or purchasing
     2        meanings, as you have seen from the report that I just
     3        presented by Mr. Mark Pattison who was copy myself
     4        regarding welfare issues, that is not written in respect
     5        that they have to do that.  We have to make and we
     6        understand we have to make a lot of assumptions regarding
     7        the intent of the specifications.  We have to understand
     8        what our needs are, and our Quality Assurance Department is
     9        well aware that we have to take care of our animals.  We
    10        spend a lot of time and resources to ensure that as well as
    11        in the education of partner, as you can see in the
    12        document, which was circulated from the Europe to the US.
    13
    14        It is understood by myself and, perhaps, when we bring the
    15        QA, the last part of Quality Assurance specification, it is
    16        in my mind that I have seen that written somewhere, there
    17        is a possibility that it is not written, but I am well
    18        aware that that is part of my responsibility, and that
    19        sense of awareness, it is shared by my peers throughout the
    20        world.
    21
    22   MR. MORRIS:  If we do not find an extra sheet that shows some
    23        animal welfare specifications, if we do not find some
    24        sheet, rather than having to come back to it then, or maybe
    25        when you have gone, if I could put it to you now, that
    26        there is no specification about animal welfare in these
    27        documents because, apart from quality considerations of
    28        meat, you have absolutely no interest in the welfare of
    29        animals that you specify to your suppliers.
    30        A.  You could not be more wrong.  McDonald's Corporation,
    31        as well as myself and my peers, we do have a great interest
    32        in the care and welfare of animals.  Your statement could
    33        not be more wrong.
    34
    35   Q.   But all I am saying is, if that is true, is there a reason
    36        it is not in these specifications, in the text of these
    37        specifications?
    38        A.  I have explained many times the reason for not having
    39        in the spec..
    40
    41   Q.   Just summarise.
    42        A.  It is understood, it is understood by our suppliers, it
    43        is understood by Quality Assurance people as well as the
    44        purchasing people that that is part of our role and
    45        responsibilities.  If it is not written there, we will take
    46        care of that.  We do a lot more things that are written in
    47        the specification that go far and beyond that is written
    48        there.  Our record proves that.  We have many ways of
    49        proving that.  McDonald's cares about the welfare of the
    50        animals.  We care about the safety of the people.  We care 
    51        about the quality of product that we make. 
    52 
    53   Q.   Is there any law, Federal law, in America on the treatment
    54        of animals in farms?
    55        A.  The Humane Slaughter Act will cover that.
    56
    57   Q.   That applies to rearing as well as slaughter, does it?
    58        A.  It applies to the life-span of any animal.
    59
    60   Q.   Does it apply to living conditions?

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