Day 096 - 03 Mar 95 - Page 48


     
     1        A.  Yes.  It appears to be very technically sensitive
     2        equipment which must be correct, you know, before it is
     3        used.  Now, the scientists and developers are satisfied
     4        that it is as required, and will in future make it
     5        fail-safe.  In actual fact, that is exactly what they have
     6        called it, the "stunning fail-safe monitor".
     7
     8   Q.   You have the equipment now; is that right?
     9        A.  Yes.
    10
    11   Q.   What have you got the cut out set out?
    12        A.  As the recommended levels.
    13
    14   Q.   What is that?
    15        A.  1.2 or 1.3 amps.  Do not hold me to the exact figure,
    16        please.
    17
    18   Q.   You see, on the right hand page under paragraph 60, it
    19        says:  "Take care to ensure that an animal does not receive
    20        an electric shock before the electrodes are applied.
    21        Animals with wet skins may receive an electric shock by
    22        contact with the animal being stunned or with those sides
    23        of the tongs which are live"?
    24        A.  Yes.
    25
    26   Q.   They seem to be indicating that there can be a problem if
    27        the animals are wet?
    28        A.  No, I would say what they are indicating is there can
    29        be a problem with untrained people using the system, the
    30        method.  Those people that are correctly trained, there is
    31        not a problem.
    32
    33   Q.   You would recognise that some animals can get electric
    34        shocks, though?
    35        A.  If someone is not doing their job correctly, of course
    36        it can happen, but in a well run plant that should not
    37        happen.
    38
    39   Q.   Or if another animal bumps into it, if there was more than
    40        one being stunned or more than one in the stunning pen at a
    41        time?
    42        A.  That is what training is all about, to make sure it
    43        does not happen.
    44
    45   Q.   So are you saying that never happens at your plant?
    46        A.  I do not think there is much in life that one can say
    47        "never at all".  One can always use best practices and,
    48        you know, achieve best results.  One must not forget,
    49        before anyone is allowed to use those, they have to be
    50        licensed by the authorities.  Ours is one of the few 
    51        industries where everything has to be licensed for you to 
    52        be able to carry on in the industry. 
    53
    54   Q.   If you turn to page 20 underneath the picture it says:
    55         "Electrodes should not be applied behind the ears or on
    56        each side of the neck, otherwise the animal may be
    57        paralysed without being rendered unconscious and may suffer
    58        severe pain".  So, that is something that pigs at your
    59        plant are likely to be suffering?
    60        A.  I am very confident, with our on plant vet who is there

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