Day 241 - 26 Apr 96 - Page 06


     
     1        David Rose:  Further to my original statement of 22nd April
     2        1993, I wish to clarify my understanding of McDonald's
     3        policy on rainforests, which was stated to me in a series
     4        of interviews described in the earlier statement.
     5
     6        My clear understanding is that until 1988, there was no
     7        formulated policy as to the time which must have elapsed
     8        since the forest was cleared before beef cattle farmland
     9        could be used to produce McDonald's patties.  I asked the
    10        firm's spokeswoman what the previous state of affairs was
    11        and she said that land which had been rainforest 10 years
    12        earlier might have been employed before 1988.  I was
    13        insistent to establish her exact meaning, and asked whether
    14        this meant that in Costa Rica, land which was rainforest in
    15        the mid-1970's could have been used to grow McDonald's beef
    16        in the mid 1980's, and she replied in the affirmative".
    17        There is not a date written by you on it, but I have a note
    18        that says, "Written and received on 7th December 1993".
    19
    20   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Why just not ask whether that started with
    21        Mr. Rose?  Did you make that statement?
    22        A.  Yes, I did.  I believe I have seen another version
    23        which has a date on it but -- but certainly I made that.
    24
    25   Q.   All you need to say now is whether what is there is true or
    26        not?
    27        A.  It is true, my Lord.
    28
    29   MS. STEEL:   OK.  No further questions.
    30
    31   MR. RAMPTON:  My Lord, that is a copy of the leaflet complained
    32        of; it is one of the originals.  (Same handed)  My Lord,
    33        can I at this stage politely enquire of your Lordship
    34        whether I gave your Lordship one of the originals at the
    35        outset of the case?
    36
    37   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes -- well, that is to say I have one which
    38        looks like an original or a very good facsimile of it on
    39        one of the tables in my room.
    40
    41   MR. RAMPTON:  I am grateful because it is my recollection
    42        I handed one in when I opened the case.
    43
    44   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I think I handed one in; I lost it and you
    45        gave me another.
    46
    47                    Cross-examined by MR. RAMPTON
    48
    49   MR. RAMPTON:  Yes.  (To the witness):  Mr. Rose, have you seen
    50        that before? 
    51        A.  Yes, I have. 
    52 
    53   Q.   Ignore the date on the front of it.  That is a chance or
    54        accident.  Do you recall when you first saw that?
    55        A.  I cannot be sure, but I had certainly seen it before
    56        I started making the enquiries I have described.
    57
    58   Q.   Do you recall the circumstances in which that leaflet came
    59        to your attention, or when you first saw it?
    60        A.  I was aware that this libel action had been launched a

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