Day 098 - 07 Mar 95 - Page 50


     
     1        Animals for Slaughter, you may remember that, yes?
     2        A.  Yes.
     3
     4   Q.   We can look at it, on page 137, internal page 137, page 9
     5        of that document, do you have that?  It is page 9 of that
     6        document?
     7        A.  Yes.
     8
     9   Q.   Page 137.  It says under "Lairage":  "Each slaughter
    10        premises must provide a suitable lairage where animals may
    11        rest and overcome the stress of transport"?
    12        A.  Yes.
    13
    14   Q.   So would you accept that transport is a stressful
    15        experience for animals?
    16        A.  I suppose it is -- it is a stressful experience for
    17        humans.   I suppose -----
    18
    19   Q.   The conditions are slightly worse, I should think, for the
    20        animals than humans travelling.
    21
    22   MR. RAMPTON:  Oh, dear!
    23
    24   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I would have thought, quite frankly, to a
    25        degree it is stressful for humans.  Can you not put
    26        "stress" in some way -- it encompasses such a wide area,
    27        does it not?  Anyone who travels in London suffers from
    28        stress.
    29
    30   MR. MORRIS:  It is recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture
    31        specifically that there ought to be suitable lairage to
    32        overcome the stress of transport.  Would you accept that
    33        your lairages makes some amends for the stress that the
    34        animals suffer in transport?
    35        A.  Our lairages are policed constantly by, sort of, meat
    36        inspection and OVS staff.  I mean, if it was unsuitable,
    37        I am sure we would be aware of it.
    38
    39   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  That is not really what Mr. Morris is getting
    40        at.
    41
    42   MR. MORRIS:  Maybe this witness does not know.
    43
    44   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  No.  Unless you have a specific matter to put
    45        him to to which he can answer if need be with some
    46        elaboration "yes", "no" or "I do not know" .....
    47
    48   MR. MORRIS:  It is hard because he says he does not know
    49        really.  (To the witness):  But the Ministry -- it may be a
    50        daft point -- of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food would not 
    51        identify stress in transport as being a problem if it was 
    52        not actually happening?  They are not a radical animal 
    53        welfare organisation.
    54
    55   MR. RAMPTON:  My Lord, is that a question, really, which any
    56        witness could be expected to answer?
    57
    58   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I do not think Mr. Chambers can anyway.  I
    59        mean, someone may help me -- I have had some help already
    60        but I may have more help about stress in transport and

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