Day 100 - 09 Mar 95 - Page 49
1 Q. That is what it was then in America, anyway. We can leave
2 all those documents now, those two files. Moving on from
3 that, for the moment, McDonald's has -- you tell us, what
4 is your position as regards hormonal growth promoters or
5 hormone treatment for cattle that may be supplied to
6 McDonald's?
7 A. As far as I am aware, hormone treatment or growth
8 promoters are not used for any McDonald's beef products.
9
10 Q. What is the reason for that?
11 A. I believe the reason is that some of these compounds
12 are antibiotics and it is not desirable to have those in
13 the food chain.
14
15 Q. Why is that?
16 A. Well, mainly because of the resistance built up by
17 bacteria. If you are constantly using an antibiotic they
18 will build up a resistance to it.
19
20 Q. There is a possibility of transfer to the human -- the
21 ability of resistance of the bacteria in the human gut?
22 A. When you start breeding a new strain of bacteria that
23 is resistant to that drug.
24
25 Q. The concern on that is that treatment resistant strains of
26 bacteria may develop in the human body; is that the basic
27 concern?
28 A. I believe so, yes.
29
30 Q. What about actual hormone growth promoters, separate from
31 exact growth promoters?
32 A. Again, McDonald's asks that none of the beef products
33 or none of the cattle that go on to make our beef products
34 are subjected to those hormonal treatments unless
35 specifically prescribed by a vet or for treating a disease
36 or something.
37
38 Q. They would not get treated with hormonal ----
39 A. I do not know. I am not a vet.
40
41 Q. What is McDonald's concern, though, about hormonal
42 treatment or hormonal growth promoters? You have said, "We
43 do not want those in our beef" but what is the reason?
44 A. I have not said that. That is just a standard which
45 I work to.
46
47 Q. Do you know what the reason is?
48 A. I could not give you chapter and verse at all on the
49 reasons behind that, no.
50
51 Q. Can you give any indication then for what the reason is?
52 A. I could offer some suggestions, yes.
53
54 Q. You are in the quality department, so you must have a view
55 on why your department is saying this to suppliers or
56 whatever -----
57
58 MR. JUSTICE BELL: It does not necessarily follow that he does.
59 Ask him about it.
60
