Day 090 - 16 Feb 95 - Page 59


     
     1
     2   Q.   Right, but you are the largest poultry company in the
     3        country, are you not?
     4        A.  I think we are the second largest.
     5
     6   Q.   So you have quite a bit of clout; if you specified that the
     7        most important factor was birds with strong legs, you would
     8        be able to make that demand?
     9        A.  As I say, when we have our reviews with breeding
    10        companies, we say that leg strength is very important and
    11        that they should place emphasis on this.  They are not
    12        likely to breed a bird of chicken which has absolutely no
    13        risk of getting any leg disorder.  That would be impossible
    14        because there are viral, there are bacterial causes of leg
    15        problems which could occur, regardless of the genetic
    16        strain.
    17
    18   Q.   But there are some strains that suffer from far less leg
    19        disorders?
    20        A.  If you say so.
    21
    22   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  What do you say about it?
    23        A.  Well, I think if we are talking about meat producing
    24        birds, I would like to know which strains have less leg
    25        disorders than the ones we use, because I do not believe
    26        that is the case.  If Ms. Steel is referring to different
    27        breeds like the ones that are selected for egg laying, then
    28        maybe there is a difference.
    29
    30   MR. RAMPTON:  My Lord, I think if Ms. Steel is going to put
    31        it  ---
    32
    33   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I think she may be looking so ......
    34
    35   MR. RAMPTON:  -- to Dr. Pattison that there is another breed of
    36        broiler available which has stronger legs, she should do
    37        so.
    38
    39   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes.
    40
    41   MS. STEEL:  You could use the egg laying chickens for starters,
    42        could you not?
    43        A.  Yes, they would not make very good meat birds.
    44
    45   Q.   You mean they would make as much meat?
    46        A.  Well, they would not make hardly any at all.
    47
    48   Q.   So they would not be as profitable?
    49        A.  They would not be suitable for the purpose that we want
    50        them. 
    51 
    52   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Do you know what proportion of usable meat 
    53        comes from the legs of the bird, as opposed to other parts
    54        of its body, once it is boned, do you know what proportion?
    55        A.  No, I am afraid I cannot answer that, I am sorry.
    56
    57   Q.   I mean, it is all relative, I suppose?
    58        A.  Yes, I mean, the most important, the highest quality
    59        meat is the breast meat.  The leg meat has different
    60        characteristics and has certain uses but its value is much

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