Day 094 - 01 Mar 95 - Page 34


     
     1        A.  Yes, yes, I did.  They have a better relationship with
     2        their suppliers of raw materials.
     3
     4   MR. MORRIS:  McKey's do?
     5        A.  Yes, they do.  They have a limited number of
     6        suppliers.  They specified, they have more requirements
     7        from their suppliers.  They do a more intensive testing.
     8        They get involved to a higher degree in pushing government
     9        regulations that would improve food safety.  Those are the
    10        key things.
    11
    12   Q.   So, in fact, the McKey's plant standards there would be
    13        higher than ---
    14        A.  I will tell you -----
    15
    16   Q.   -- the ones in the States?
    17        A.  I will tell you one thing:  When I went, the last time,
    18        with the McDonald's global beef team that visit, that has
    19        visited the major suppliers around the world, our last trip
    20        was the European trip, and I was asked to compare, to
    21        select the top three suppliers.  McKey was one of those.
    22
    23   Q.   Is it not true in the States that the US DA inspection has
    24        been criticised for being too lax at the highest level?
    25        A.  In what sense?
    26
    27   Q.   In terms of hygiene procedures and monitoring for risk of
    28        food poisoning?
    29        A.  Yes, they have.
    30
    31   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  The picture I get is that there is a bit of a
    32        debate going on (and it probably will not be for me to
    33        decide which side of it is right) as to the extent of
    34        government control, as one side might put it, or government
    35        interference, as the other side might put it, in the US.
    36        The picture I also get is that in this country we find a
    37        higher level of government control or intervention in these
    38        matters acceptable than is found acceptable in the States.
    39        As a very general picture, is that accurate?
    40        A.  Yes, it is.
    41
    42   MR. MORRIS:  But do you know Mike Epsy?
    43        A.  Yes.
    44
    45   Q.   What is his position?
    46        A.  I do not know what he is now today.  He used to be the
    47        Secretary of Agriculture.
    48
    49   Q.   Yes.  He has criticised the US DA inspection for not being
    50        strong enough and aggressive enough in monitoring hygiene 
    51        in process plants? 
    52        A.  That is correct. 
    53
    54   Q.   Would you agree with Mr. Epsy on that?
    55        A.  Yes, I do.
    56
    57   MS. STEEL:  Is it right that until around 1992 in red meat
    58        plants, as opposed to poultry, meat packers and government
    59        regulators did not test meat for microbiological
    60        contamination?

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