Day 060 - 02 Dec 94 - Page 23


     
     1        more information and we got more information.
     2
     3   Q.   You said in your statement, "there was no concern about the
     4        environmental impact of CFCs".  It does not say about the
     5        environmental impact of delayed emission of CFCs from
     6        fast-food packaging materials.  You said there was no
     7        concern about the environmental impact of CFCs, but now you
     8        have admitted that, in fact, since, whenever it is, the
     9        mid-70s or late 70s there was a great deal of concern, even
    10        leading to government regulations in the States?
    11        A.  I am in my statement talking about polystyrene foam
    12        packaging and not aerosol sprays.
    13
    14   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Did you think that there was any concern in
    15        1986 about polystyrene foam packaging blown by CFC in that
    16        the time would come, or might come, when some of the CFC
    17        was released into the atmosphere?
    18        A.  No, I did not, my Lord, because we simply did not know
    19        at that time.  I really object to this line of questioning
    20        because, frankly, this initiative that I personally took
    21        was taken in good faith.  It was taken ahead of any
    22        pressure.  It was taken ahead of the Montreal Protocol and,
    23        frankly, I think what we did was a very visionary thing at
    24        that time.
    25
    26   MR. MORRIS:  What, start using CFCs in 1986?
    27        A.  No, to make the change when we did.
    28
    29   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Might I suggest, Mr. Morris, the witness has
    30        said that when he is talking about concern about the
    31        environmental impact of CFCs, he was restricting his
    32        consideration to CFCs as used in the production of
    33        polystyrene foam packaging.  You may or may not accept that
    34        is what he meant, but that is the basis upon which he said
    35        it.  If you are suggesting that there was concern about the
    36        environmental impact of CFCs as used to blow polystyrene
    37        packaging (1) and that he should have been aware of it (2),
    38        then put your ammunition for that to him.
    39
    40   MR. MORRIS:  OK.  (To the witness):  On the third page of that
    41        document under April 1983, it says specifically:  "April
    42        1983.  During international talks, Norway, Sweden and
    43        Finland submitted a world plan for a worldwide ban on CFCs
    44        and aerosols and limitations on all uses of CFCs."  Were
    45        you aware of this kind of generalised concern about CFCs in
    46        all products before the mid-80s?
    47        A.  No.  I was aware of the concern in our aerosols at that
    48        time.  I am obviously aware now, but I certainly was not
    49        then.
    50 
    51   Q.   Would you say that since the late 80s, maybe since 89/90, 
    52        McDonald's has become more aware of environmental concerns? 
    53        A.  Of environmental concerns generally?
    54
    55   Q.   Yes.
    56        A.  It has certainly gained momentum.  It started long
    57        before that, but it has gained momentum through the late
    58        80s and into the 90s.
    59
    60   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Let us take our five-minute break now.

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