Day 098 - 07 Mar 95 - Page 41


     
     1        level of stress before it becomes noticeable?
     2        A.  It is a very difficult thing to say even with beef
     3        cattle, if you like, because it is not an exacting
     4        science.  It is just that it is generally accepted that an
     5        animal subjected to stress will yield a darker meat, so it
     6        is not obvious in cows, not as obvious as it is in other
     7        animals.
     8
     9   Q.   So, if you had the same level of stress in a cow and beef
    10        cattle, it would be less likely to show up in the cow?
    11        A.  Sure, unless you were measuring the pH of that carcass.
    12
    13   Q.   Is that something that is routinely done?
    14        A.  Yes.
    15
    16   Q.   It is?
    17        A.  Yes.
    18
    19   Q.   How often is that done then?
    20        A.  Our customers on the continent are very fussy, if you
    21        like, about the pH of their beef, and so we check it
    22        whenever we are loading to certain customers abroad.
    23
    24   Q.   So that is not something that applies to McKeys then?
    25        A.  No.
    26
    27   Q.   You said yesterday you do not use slats in lairages.  Are
    28        they used anywhere else on the premises?
    29        A.  No, not in our premises.
    30
    31   Q.   Has that always been the case?
    32        A.  For as long as I can remember, yes.
    33
    34   Q.   Could you get down yellow volume IX, please?  Then turn to
    35        page 192.  These are company guidelines, yes?
    36        A.  Company training, yes.
    37
    38   Q.   Training documents?
    39        A.  Yes.
    40
    41   Q.   On page 192 under "important" which is halfway down the
    42        page ---
    43        A.  Yes.
    44
    45   Q.   -- it says:  "Whenever possible a second person should be
    46        in attendance during loading and unloading to provide
    47        assistance if needed, i.e. in case of animals escaping"?
    48        A.  Yes.
    49
    50   Q.   Is this something that was developed to deal with that 
    51        problem? 
    52        A.  Was the training document developed to deal with 
    53        animals escaping, is that what you are asking?
    54
    55   Q.   No, that particular part, that was -----
    56        A.  I think -- again I am guessing here, but I would
    57        imagine that that is a health and safety concern.
    58
    59   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Sorry, which part are you suggesting might
    60        have been developed to deal with a problem of escaping,

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