Day 089 - 15 Feb 95 - Page 11
1
2 Q. Can I ask you, please, to look at the fourth page of that
3 document in the section headed "Foreword"? Do you have
4 that?
5
6 MR. MORRIS: We have not got our copy in here. If it is
7 important -----
8
9 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Just listen and see. If you are
10 disadvantaged, someone will provide it. It may be very
11 familiar to -----
12
13 MR. RAMPTON: I will read it out. My Lord, I thought it only
14 right, as it were, while we are on it, to have a look at
15 the slightly different version of the Five Freedoms
16 promulgated by the RSPCA. (To the witness): It is in that
17 main paragraph under "Foreword" with an index. Do you see
18 the Five Freedoms there, Dr. Pattison?
19 A. Yes, I do.
20
21 Q. I will read them out because the Defendants have not got
22 their copy. It says: "The 'Five Freedoms' (as defined by
23 the FAWC in October 1992) are as follows: Freedom from
24 hunger and thirst", then a subparagraph, "by ready access
25 to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and
26 vigour; Freedom from discomfort - by providing an
27 appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable
28 resting area; Freedom from pain, injury or disease - by
29 prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment; Freedom to
30 express normal behaviour - by providing sufficient space,
31 proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind;
32 Freedom fear and distress - by ensuring conditions and care
33 which avoid mental suffering."
34
35 Can I ask you this, as a practising vet, although in
36 industry, practising, nonetheless, do you have respect for
37 the RSPCA?
38 A. Yes, yes, I do. I think they are a very honest body
39 with a very worthy cause in mind.
40
41 Q. Do you or do you not find that somewhat different version
42 of the Five Freedoms acceptable?
43 A. Yes, I think it is acceptable.
44
45 Q. Can we then -----
46
47 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Might I just ask, did it actually change in
48 that six months? Your report is April 1992 and that is
49 said to be the same Welfare Council, October 1992, it
50 covers the same topics, obviously, but the wording is not
51 the same?
52 A. Yes. I think we have to say that the Five Freedoms,
53 the discussion around them, is changing all the time and
54 they are being modified slightly in the light of new
55 scientific knowledge and in the light of opinion. So, they
56 are still being discussed and they are not finite at all.
57
58 MR. RAMPTON: Can we take them in turn? There is only one of
59 them that I am going to ask you about in any sort of
60 detail: "Freedom from hunger and thirst - by ready access
