Day 088 - 13 Feb 95 - Page 74


     
     1        time, we must give credence to the RSPCA, because they
     2        allow it in their freedom food document, and I am sure that
     3        if it was giving pain as such it would be not allowed.  So,
     4        it is just -- it is not just Bowes as a company speaking,
     5        me as a representative of that company.
     6
     7   MS. STEEL:  The RSPCA says that nose rings are not allowed
     8        except in exceptional circumstances?
     9        A.  The exceptional circumstances are to save the young.
    10
    11   Q.   Presumably, if they thought it was a painless technique,
    12        they would not be worried about peopling using it all the
    13        time?
    14        A.  If a painless technique?
    15
    16   Q.   If it did not cause the pigs any pain, presumably they
    17        would not mind if it was used on every pig every day of the
    18        week?
    19        A.  If they think it is necessary, according to the
    20        regulations, you can.
    21
    22   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Do pigs learn quickly?
    23        A.  Yes, sir; they are a very quick learning animal.
    24
    25   MS. STEEL:   Have you still got the freedom foods thing there?
    26        A.  Yes, I have.
    27
    28   Q.   The booklet.
    29        A.  Which page, please?
    30
    31   Q.   Page 4.
    32        A.  Yes, I have it.
    33
    34   Q.   No. 2 says, "Nose rings are not allowed except in
    35        exceptional circumstances which are subject to the approval
    36        of a freedom food assessor".
    37        A.  Yes.
    38
    39   Q.   Why do they have a restriction on the use of nose rings if
    40        there is no pain involved?
    41        A.  I would believe that the RSPCA, being a responsible
    42        organisation, have come to a logical conclusion.
    43
    44   Q.   That it is painful?
    45        A.  I am not saying whether it is -- I have said that when
    46        the initial ring goes in there must be some pain.  I am not
    47        denying that.  But after the initial pain, I am sure that
    48        the pig, he just goes about and enjoys himself.  Let me
    49        give you an example -- I have missed a strong point for
    50        you.  Our sows, they are fed in two ways.  They are fed 
    51        what we call cob nuts, which is food so it is scattered on 
    52        the ground so they can feed from the ground, and it is also 
    53        put into troughs, so they can eat out of the troughs.  Now,
    54        if the ring was a huge problem when they are eating, they
    55        would go thin again and we would have a problem, and it
    56        would be very noticeable, and it does not happen.
    57
    58   Q.   But they do not need to rout around to get the food from
    59        the ground though, do they, not deeply?  They do not have
    60        to dig?

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