Day 098 - 07 Mar 95 - Page 50
1 Animals for Slaughter, you may remember that, yes?
2 A. Yes.
3
4 Q. We can look at it, on page 137, internal page 137, page 9
5 of that document, do you have that? It is page 9 of that
6 document?
7 A. Yes.
8
9 Q. Page 137. It says under "Lairage": "Each slaughter
10 premises must provide a suitable lairage where animals may
11 rest and overcome the stress of transport"?
12 A. Yes.
13
14 Q. So would you accept that transport is a stressful
15 experience for animals?
16 A. I suppose it is -- it is a stressful experience for
17 humans. I suppose -----
18
19 Q. The conditions are slightly worse, I should think, for the
20 animals than humans travelling.
21
22 MR. RAMPTON: Oh, dear!
23
24 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I would have thought, quite frankly, to a
25 degree it is stressful for humans. Can you not put
26 "stress" in some way -- it encompasses such a wide area,
27 does it not? Anyone who travels in London suffers from
28 stress.
29
30 MR. MORRIS: It is recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture
31 specifically that there ought to be suitable lairage to
32 overcome the stress of transport. Would you accept that
33 your lairages makes some amends for the stress that the
34 animals suffer in transport?
35 A. Our lairages are policed constantly by, sort of, meat
36 inspection and OVS staff. I mean, if it was unsuitable,
37 I am sure we would be aware of it.
38
39 MR. JUSTICE BELL: That is not really what Mr. Morris is getting
40 at.
41
42 MR. MORRIS: Maybe this witness does not know.
43
44 MR. JUSTICE BELL: No. Unless you have a specific matter to put
45 him to to which he can answer if need be with some
46 elaboration "yes", "no" or "I do not know" .....
47
48 MR. MORRIS: It is hard because he says he does not know
49 really. (To the witness): But the Ministry -- it may be a
50 daft point -- of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food would not
51 identify stress in transport as being a problem if it was
52 not actually happening? They are not a radical animal
53 welfare organisation.
54
55 MR. RAMPTON: My Lord, is that a question, really, which any
56 witness could be expected to answer?
57
58 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I do not think Mr. Chambers can anyway. I
59 mean, someone may help me -- I have had some help already
60 but I may have more help about stress in transport and
