Day 020 - 28 Jul 94 - Page 50
1 Q. With those two, are there welfare problems, in your
opinion?
2 A. There are distinct problems with the one which is used
in Eastern Block countries, the first one.
3
MR. JUSTICE BELL: What are we on electric stunning for?
4
MR. MORRIS: Because some of McDonald's suppliers in other
5 countries do use electric stunning. I just want to have
an idea of what that was.
6
MR. JUSTICE BELL: I must say I thought your case concentrated
7 on the captive bolt and the cow puncher. Those were the
two mentioned. But you want to rely on electric stunning
8 as well, do you?
9 MR. MORRIS: I am interested to see what Mr. Gregory says are
the welfare problems of electric stunning.
10
MR. JUSTICE BELL: I hope I have made it clear that I do not
11 want to restrict you unduly, but if you focused everyone
in a point like the captive bolt, I am a bit wary of then
12 moving off on to topics we have not heard of at all. Do
you understand?
13
MR. MORRIS: Yes. (To the witness): Your opinion is the
14 captive bolt pistol has better welfare implications, yes,
than other methods?
15 A. Let us just consider the United Kingdom, shall we, if
we are going to make generalisations?
16
Q. Yes.
17
MR. JUSTICE BELL: The United Kingdom is your particular area
18 of expertise -- I am not suggesting you do not know a lot
about other parts of the world -- is that fair?
19 A. I have seen slaughter in many countries.
20 Q. Very well, yes.
A. The electrical stunning system that was developed in
21 New Zealand is, in my view, a very satisfactory way of
stunning cattle. So, the captive bolt system is also,
22 when it works properly, a very satisfactory method of
stunning animals. However, it is not always applied
23 successfully -- less so than electrical stunning.
24 MR. MORRIS: Just to complete that: The method used in the
Eastern Block countries would not be satisfactory from
25 your point of view?
A. The way I have seen it practised, both first hand and
26 seen it on video, I would say in some situations it is
inhumane.
27
Q. Did you check the weapons that were used in the captive
28 bolt?
A. I did not inspect them closely. I inspected the
29 ammunition closely, cartridges.
30 MR. JUSTICE BELL: That was to see how many grains they were,
was it?
