Day 090 - 16 Feb 95 - Page 34


     
     1        welfare and reduces leg problems.  I feel that we may well
     2        come up with a recommendation eventually where we would
     3        want to go to longer than 30 minutes.
     4
     5   Q.   But doing experiments does not prevent you from
     6        implementing this suggestion immediately, does it?
     7        A.  No.
     8
     9   Q.   So why not take a lead?
    10        A.  Why not?
    11
    12   Q.   Do you not feel that by ignoring the recommendations that
    13        are in here that you are, as someone that is on the
    14        subcommittee, setting a bad example?
    15        A.  I have said that all the recommendations in here, we
    16        have no problem with complying.  The only one that we have
    17        disagreed with is on the stocking density.
    18
    19   Q.   Right, but you are certainly not taking up the spirit of
    20        the recommendations.
    21        A.  I disagree.
    22
    23   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You may have no difficulty complying.  What
    24        is being put to you, however, the fact is you are not, do
    25        you see?  You may say it is marginal or it does not make
    26        any difference, but you are being asked, why not?
    27        A.  I do not understand what I am disagreeing with.  Is it
    28        the 20 lux?
    29
    30   Q.   No, we have moved on to the 20 to 30 minutes now.
    31        A.  Well, I have already said, if we have a procedure to
    32        allow 20 to 30 minutes darkness in any 24-hour period.
    33
    34   MS. STEEL:  But these are minimums, a minimum of at least 30
    35        minutes, and you are not stipulating that all your units
    36        should carry that out?
    37        A.  So you are saying there is a big difference between 20
    38        minutes and 30 minutes, are you?
    39
    40   Q.   Presumably, the Farm Animal Welfare Council thinks so
    41        because they have made that recommendation?
    42        A.  OK.
    43
    44   Q.   Do you not feel that by ignoring the minimum
    45        recommendations that you are setting a bad example to other
    46        broiler farmers?
    47        A.  I believe we can achieve precisely the same effect,
    48        whether it is 20 minutes or 30 minutes.  I do not believe
    49        it makes a great deal of difference.
    50 
    51   Q.   As we all know, in natural circumstances there would be 
    52        considerably more than half an hour.  Why not give the 
    53        birds something more akin to what natural conditions were
    54        like?
    55        A.  What I am hoping is that the results of our trials with
    56        light and dark periods will show an improvement in leg
    57        problems, an improvement to general bird activity, and that
    58        we can actually go to longer periods of darkness because,
    59        I agree with you, I think that would be much better and
    60        preferable.

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