Day 104 - 15 Mar 95 - Page 47
1
2 Q. That would only happen if there had been a serious
3 complaint or something like that?
4 A. If there had been a complaint or whatever that would
5 initiative a visit usually from the veterinary officer,
6 usually from the Ministry of Agriculture.
7
8 Q. Has that happened?
9 A. No.
10
11 Q. So far as you are aware, there have never been any visits?
12 A. No.
13
14 Q. There is one official veterinary surgeon who is on
15 attendance at the slaughter site, is that right, is it not?
16 A. Yes.
17
18 Q. As well as observing the slaughter process, do they check
19 the conditions of the chickens when they arrive?
20 A. Yes, they are responsible for checking crates and
21 modules, the chickens themselves, in the arrival area.
22
23 Q. Are there any other duties that have to carry out as well?
24 A. They are responsible for the overall hygiene standards
25 in the plant as well as that and also for export
26 documentation, health certificates, this kind of thing.
27
28 Q. How often are staff given a break from the slaughter line?
29 A. There is a rotation programme where people do change
30 their jobs, and depending on where they are working they
31 get breaks at different times. So, I really cannot answer
32 your question.
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34 Q. You do not know what it would vary between then?
35 A. No, I am sorry I do not.
36
37 Q. You do not have any specifications on that?
38 A. No. Obviously there is a break time in the morning.
39 There is a break time at lunch. There is a break time in
40 the afternoon. But with people on shifts it is not
41 something that I am really aware of, exactly how long they
42 get.
43
44 Q. So, basically, they get a lunch-break and two other breaks?
45 A. Yes.
46
47 Q. How long do the shifts usually last?
48 A. The shifts are 8-hour shifts.
49
50 Q. You used to kill birds at up to 12,000, 12,500 an hour, did
51 you not, slaughter birds?
52 A. That was on the old line, yes.
53
54 Q. That had been the standard practice for a number of years?
55 A. Yes, I think so.
56
57 MR. JUSTICE BELL: When did that change down to the 4,500 in an
58 emergency?
59 A. On two lines that was changed I think two years ago.
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