Day 097 - 06 Mar 95 - Page 83
1 course, it is not persuaded forward until the gate is
2 opened.
3
4 Q. No. How long might they stand outside the stun pen until
5 the slaughterman is ready for them?
6 A. A minute.
7
8 Q. Then who raises the gate?
9 A. The slaughterman.
10
11 Q. Is that -----
12 A. Usually or a drover.
13
14 Q. Sorry?
15 A. Usually a slaughterman or a drover.
16
17 Q. Is that done mechanically or manually?
18 A. It is done manually but there is a counter balance
19 mechanism.
20
21 Q. Then the first animal goes in; do the next ones follow up
22 behind or do they stand where they are as a rule?
23 A. They will move on as the first one goes in.
24
25 MR. JUSTICE BELL: They are in the race then but out of sight;
26 is that right?
27 A. Yes. The animal going into the stunning box is out of
28 the sight of the ones behind it once the gate is shut.
29
30 Q. But they are queuing up in the race or whatever you choose
31 to call it behind?
32 A. That is right.
33
34 Q. With fencing or concrete walls on either side of them?
35 A. Yes.
36
37 Q. And with enough room to turn round and walk back?
38 A. That is right, yes.
39
40 MR. RAMPTON: Roughly how long is the race at Midland Meat?
41 A. It is four or five cattle long.
42
43 Q. Four or five cattle long?
44 A. I believe it is four our five cattle we can get in
45 there.
46
47 Q. So it is not a great, long journey?
48 A. No, probably from here to the door over there.
49
50 Q. Is it to the door?
51 A. Probably about that point.
52
53 Q. Is it straight or curved?
54 A. Straight.
55
56 Q. How long -- I am coming to the end, you will be relieved,
57 Mr. Chambers -- has the person at Midland Meat who has the
58 animal welfare responsibility has he had that position or
59 that responsibility?
60 A. The responsibility of Animal Welfare Officer?
