Day 240 - 24 Apr 96 - Page 31
1 the oil crisis of the mid 1970s.
2
3 Q. Thank you. Leave it there. See if you can get through the
4 rest and then we will adjourn, Mr. Morris.
5
6 MR. MORRIS: Yes.
7
8 MR. JUSTICE BELL: "While land is under pasture".
9
10 MR. MORRIS: "4.3. While land is under pasture, and used for
11 cattle ranching, it is impossible for either natural
12 regeneration or reforestation to occur. The demand for
13 beef and beef products therefore can be said to directly
14 prevent such regeneration or reforestation on those lands.
15
16 4.4. Most, if not all, tropical forest types require
17 several hundred years of naturally occurring regeneration
18 before primary tree species become established, and the
19 forest has reached its mature or final phase of
20 successional development. It is in these forest times that
21 generally the highest diversity of species are found.
22 Earlier establishment and secondary phases occur over
23 decadeal to century time scales (depending on the species
24 and forest ecosystem type) as does planned and deliberate
25 reforestation."
26
27 Can you just explain that, I am in a bit of a hurry but can
28 you just explain what you mean by "decadeal to century time
29 scales"?
30
31 MR. RAMPTON: Can I make an intervention that is supposed to be
32 helpful. We have gone quite slowly this morning. I do not
33 at the moment, unless he comes up with something very
34 surprising, any cross-examination of this witness.
35
36 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes..
37
38 MR. RAMPTON: I am wondering if your Lordship would think of
39 sitting maybe to quarter past and then we can all go away
40 and not have to come back?
41
42 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Except I want to spend a bit of time talking
43 about witnesses to be read on Friday, so generally I would
44 accede to that.
45
46 MR. MORRIS: At least the witness will be able to be ----
47
48 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I am sure it was intended to help, but do not
49 rush. We will adjourn now and you can start with your
50 question you were about to ask at 2 o'clock.
51
52 MR. MORRIS: Okay.
53
54 MR. JUSTICE BELL: If you can bear in mind what I have just
55 said, I would like to fill time on Friday with reading
56 Civil Evidence Act witnesses in relation to the environment
57 and I would like you just to spend a few minutes talking
58 about that later this afternoon.
59
60 (Luncheon adjournment)
