Day 067 - 15 Dec 94 - Page 44


     
     1        A.  They could supply beef to our suppliers, that is a
     2        correct statement.
     3
     4   Q.   Because that is what you said in your statement on
     5        page 2  ---
     6        A.  Yes.
     7
     8   Q.   -- of your first statement:  "I can confirm that Connagra
     9        do supply beef to McDonald's suppliers"?
    10        A.  Then I understand your question if you know the answer.
    11
    12   Q.   I do not understand why you are not willing to admit it if
    13        you are putting it in your statement, but anyway ....
    14        A.  I thought I did.
    15
    16   Q.   OK.  Going back to -----
    17
    18   MR. RAMPTON:  Mr. Morris has made a pugnacious comment.
    19        I believe the witness should be allowed to deal with it.
    20
    21   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I do not think you need to because I have got
    22        the position, and there is a very important distinction
    23        between abattoirs who supply meat to processors who then
    24        supply patties to McDonald's and the actual supplier of the
    25        patties, if only because it is quite clear that McDonald's
    26        leave quite lot of responsibility in the latter for
    27        checking up on proper standards.  But my interruption a
    28        moment ago is really to ask why we have gone on to Connagra
    29        at all at this point in the cross-examination.
    30
    31   MR. MORRIS:  Maybe it can come up another time.
    32        (To the witness):  While we are still on the main issue
    33        which is McDonald's policy, you say the Humane Slaughter
    34        Act, which is something that is more wide than that
    35        document we have seen, apparently, it is claimed, is your
    36        policy in effect; is that correct?
    37        A.  Let me see if I understood your question.  You are
    38        asking me if our policy is to follow the Humane Slaughter
    39        Act?  Is that your question?
    40
    41   Q.   It is the law of the country so you have to comply with
    42        that.
    43        A.  Yes, we have to comply with that; we have no choice.
    44
    45   Q.   But you are also saying that is the policy of the
    46        McDonald's Corporation, in other words, you positively
    47        say:  "We agree with this; this is our policy"?
    48        A.  Our policy is to comply with all regulations.  It is
    49        not like we have a choice.  We comply with those, whether
    50        we want it or not -- if you let me finish, Mr. Morris -- 
    51        that makes it our policy.  When we do not have a choice 
    52        because of regulations, it becomes an automatic part of our 
    53        policy.  We do not have a choice.  That is well understood
    54        by everybody.
    55
    56   Q.   Has your department ever sent the Humane Slaughter
    57        regulations out to anyone to say:  "This is our policy;
    58        conform with it" or whatever, can you remember?
    59        A.  I cannot speak for my entire department.
    60

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