Day 020 - 28 Jul 94 - Page 66


     
     1   Q.   50 seconds?
              A.  Yes.  The lowest estimates would be, i.e. the quickest
     2        pig to return, may be of the order of 35 seconds; it is
              that sort of value.  That is with the head only electrical
     3        stun using a recommended current level.
 
     4   Q.   Right.  So if the pigs were stuck on average 18 seconds
              afterwards, after being stunned, that means that some are
     5        going to be stuck after that and some before?
              A.  18 seconds would be an average, yes, you are right,
     6        absolutely.
 
     7   Q.   So 18 plus 18 is very near the borderline, is it not?
              A.  That presupposes that the criteria that I explained
     8        for brain failure equate to time to loss of
              consciousness.  That is not a fair assumption.  It is
     9        closer to a profound state of brain failure.
              Unconsciousness would occur sooner than 18 seconds
    10        following sticking.  You did ask for brain death,
              I think.  I think that was your word.
    11
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It was to death?
    12        A.  Yes, I beg your pardon.  It was not loss of
              consciousness.  I think, to be on the safe side, I would
    13        recommend sometime between stunning and sticking for pigs
              less than 15 seconds.  That is my recommendation and of my
    14        colleagues as well.
 
    15   MS. STEEL:   That would be to avoid any risk?
              A.  To minimise the risk, that is right.
    16
         Q.   You mention about the stunning method used there is that
    17        they are using a neck application where there is a risk
              that the current will immobilise the pig without rendering
    18        it instantaneously insensible?
              A.  Can we check whether it was a neck application, first
    19        of all, please?
 
    20   Q.   It is on page 9.
              A.  Thank you.
    21
         Q.   It is in No. 1.
    22        A.  Thank you.
 
    23   Q.   If we look at the codes of practice in tab E on page 281,
              in the orange bundle, it should be?
    24        A.  Yes.
 
    25   Q.   Is it right, it puts it a bit more strongly there?  It
              says: "The electrode should not be applied behind the ears 
    26        or on each side of the neck otherwise the animal may be 
              paralysed without being rendered unconscious and may 
    27        suffer severe pain"?
              A.  Yes.
    28
         Q.   That is the same procedure?
    29        A.  Yes.
 
    30   Q.   Then under No. 2 you inspected the stunning equipment and
              the electrode were permanently live, and that that could

Prev Next Index