Day 091 - 17 Feb 95 - Page 61


     
     1   Q.   You have agreed that when the chickens are transported some
     2        of them die from ascites, so obviously they have not been
     3        spotted by the stockmen as being ill?
     4        A.  Well, maybe they were not showing any particular signs
     5        at that time.
     6
     7   Q.   But there might have been signs that could have been
     8        noticed had the bird been picked up and checked
     9        individually?
    10        A.  They might have been but it is all a matter of degree.
    11
    12   Q.   What I am suggesting is that unless something has virtually
    13        keeled over or is quite blatantly obvious there is
    14        something wrong, you would not notice?
    15        A.  I think most of the problems are picked up pretty well
    16        by the good stockmen.
    17
    18   MR. MORRIS:  They may not be picked up on each walk.  In three
    19        quarters of an hour the stockman on his own has to check
    20        25,000 birds, 200 feeds possibly in some sheds, 200 feed
    21        outlets, 150 drink bells, if you are still using the bell
    22        system or nipples otherwise, fans, check for ammonia, wet
    23        patches, and things like that, logically it is impossible
    24        on each walk to check for the welfare, for each bird that
    25        may be welfare compromised?
    26        A.  You have to remember that they are doing this four or
    27        five times a day.  They do not -- they are not having to
    28        make adjustments to all those factors every time they walk
    29        the sheds.
    30
    31   Q.   So do you think over a course of the day they may, in fact,
    32        be able to check the welfare which birds are, in your
    33        words, welfare compromised?
    34        A.  They certainly do.
    35
    36   Q.   But it would not be reasonable to expect them to do that on
    37        each walk?
    38        A.  They will do it as part of an assessment on each visit
    39        through the farm, and doing it four or five times a day
    40        I am absolutely sure they can pick up anything which is
    41        abnormal.
    42
    43   Q.   By the end of the day?
    44        A.  Yes.
    45
    46   Q.   But if there were two people it would be easy to do that
    47        job, would it not?
    48        A.  I would not accept that.
    49
    50   Q.   You would not accept that? 
    51        A.  I do not see why it makes it easier.  Have you ever 
    52        walked a poultry shed?  How do you know it makes it 
    53        easier?
    54
    55   Q.   But I am a human being and capable of using my logic.
    56
    57   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You cannot ask Mr. Morris questions.
    58        A.  Well, I do not accept his view.
    59
    60   MR. MORRIS:  Have you ever cross-examined a witness?  You do not

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