Day 067 - 15 Dec 94 - Page 38


     
     1        it?
     2        A.  I would agree with your comment.
     3
     4   Q.   It is all directed at good quality and safe food?
     5        A.  For an outsider that would look at the spec. and would
     6        only know what is written, the letters, you could probably
     7        get that assumption.  You could get a lot of assumptions.
     8        You could get misinterpretations.  You could lose the
     9        intent and the content for specifications requirements and
    10        policies.  That is why we spend a lot of time communicating
    11        with our suppliers, educating and letting them know our
    12        needs and our expectations.  It is during that process that
    13        all of the issues that are of concern, not only to
    14        McDonald's, but to the governments and to our suppliers,
    15        are discussed.
    16
    17   Q.   I understand that that is your evidence, but this line of
    18        cross-examination was directed, really, in the first place
    19        at whether there was any written policy, specification,
    20        etc. which dealt with animal welfare issues.  It looks, as
    21        far as you are aware, as if there is not?
    22        A.  There is one more place that I still -- our offices at
    23        this time are closed and I would expect, hopefully, to have
    24        a copy of the final page of our Quality Assurance products
    25        specification.
    26
    27   Q.   We will wait and see.
    28
    29   MR. MORRIS:  Just before we leave these documents ----
    30
    31   MS. STEEL:  On that subject, I mean, I would make the
    32        observation that some time ago at a previous hearing we did
    33        actually apply for the rest of these specifications.
    34
    35   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I suggest you wait.
    36
    37   MS. STEEL:  No, all I was going to say was that we were told
    38        that these were the whole of the pages that were relevant.
    39
    40   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You may well find that they are.  If a new
    41        document comes and there is a need to have an argument
    42        about it, we will have it then.
    43
    44   MR. MORRIS:  You say that these documents deal with, as they did
    45        do, Quality Assurance, yes?  That may be the reason they do
    46        not mention specifically animal welfare conditions?
    47        A.  Quality Assurance, within Quality Assurance, an
    48        indication -- let me take it back.  Our products, when we
    49        measure quality, are a reflection of how well the animals
    50        are treated, how well the animals are taken care of. 
    51 
    52   Q.   Yes.  All I am saying is ----- 
    53        A.  As well as -- if you let me finish, sir?
    54
    55   Q.   I know, but it is not answering the question.
    56
    57   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Let him finish anyway.  We have had an awful
    58        lot of answers; whether this is one or not, I do not know
    59        until you put the question.  We have to let the answer come
    60        out anyway.

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