Day 098 - 07 Mar 95 - Page 46


     
     1   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It is part of the structure, as I understand
     2        it?
     3        A.  Well, it is almost like a step coming out from the end
     4        wall of the stunning box.
     5
     6   MS. STEEL:  Is this something that is tacked on to the end of
     7        what the previous box was or has the whole stunning box
     8        changed?
     9        A.  No, it has been built inside it.  I think it is
    10        actually made of concrete, if my memory serves me
    11        correctly, and it is, kind of, it is like a step that has
    12        been rounded off and it has a smooth covering over it.
    13
    14   Q.   So when the cow comes in, it cannot put its head down, it
    15        has to put its head up because there is a step in the way?
    16        A.  Well, the idea of it is that the chin will remain
    17        higher.
    18
    19   Q.   Prior to becoming the Quality Assurance Manager, what were
    20        your responsibilities?
    21        A.  Mainly running the laboratory.
    22
    23   Q.   So it was the kind of microbiological side of things that
    24        you were involved with really?
    25        A.  That and the quality control side and all the other
    26        different things we test for, yes.
    27
    28   Q.   You mean the fat content and things like that?
    29        A.  Etc., yes.
    30
    31   Q.   So really, prior to becoming the Quality Assurance Manager,
    32        you would not really have had much to do with the kind of
    33        slaughter side of the operation?
    34        A.  Yes, that is right.
    35
    36   Q.   You said yesterday that you were trying to get away from
    37        unloading down ramps?
    38        A.  Yes.
    39
    40   Q.   Why is that?
    41        A.  I believe it is better for the animals.
    42
    43   Q.   What, they are not keen on walking down ramps?
    44        A.  Not keen on walking down them -- we just believe it is
    45        better to have them unloaded horizontally.
    46
    47   Q.   Why would that be better for the animals?
    48        A.  I think the animals would prefer to walk horizontally
    49        than down a slope.
    50 
    51   Q.   Is it not right that cattle are not very keen on walking 
    52        down slopes? 
    53        A.  It is a difficult to question to answer.
    54
    55   Q.   You also said about curved races lessen the need for
    56        droving?
    57        A.  Certain schools of thought, yes, believe that is the
    58        case, and if you have bends the cows will walk around them.
    59
    60   Q.   So you are less likely to get cows stopping in their tracks

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