Day 091 - 17 Feb 95 - Page 24
1 Q. Yes.
2 A. That can be a factor, yes, but it is not necessarily.
3
4 Q. Not in every case but it certainly can be a factor in some
5 cases?
6 A. It would make sense for that conclusion to be made.
7
8 MR. RAMPTON: My Lord, again I do believe that if something is
9 to be said about Sun Valley in this case, Ms. Steel has to
10 ask Dr. Pattison whether the stocking density, maximum
11 stocking density, at Sun Valley leads to an exacerbation of
12 leg problems.
13
14 MR. JUSTICE BELL: That is quite important, apart from anything
15 else, so the witness can answer it. It is probably not a
16 bad illustration of what we were talking about earlier, but
17 also so that I can see. If it is suggested that a stocking
18 density of a maximum of 36.5 kilograms would have some
19 effect on leg disease, then that should be put and the
20 extent of the effect should be put as well, because
21 otherwise these are just loose ends.
22
23 I do not know whether it is suggested that a stocking
24 disease of 36.5 kilos a square metre, whether it is being
25 suggested that does lead to leg problems and, if so, what
26 or not. To say a higher stocking density can be a factor
27 but is not necessarily so may be interesting but I cannot
28 hang it on any peg in the case.
29
30 MS. STEEL: Actually the question I asked was: "It certainly can
31 be a factor in some cases".
32
33 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes, but I do not know whether it is
34 suggested that it is at Sun Valley or not.
35
36 MS. STEEL: Yes. I had not actually finished what I was asking.
37
38 MR. JUSTICE BELL: That is the point, so I can see where it is
39 in relation to the allegations against Sun Valley and
40 thereby against McDonald's.
41
42 MS. STEEL: I am sorry, but I had not finished what I was
43 asking.
44
45 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Very well. I only interrupted to underline
46 that. I appreciate you may well be going on to deal with
47 it. It is something of an example of what we were
48 discussing a few minutes ago. Yes, take your time to get
49 going again.
50
51 MS. STEEL: Increased activity in the broiler sheds leads to
52 stronger legs?
53 A. That is correct.
54
55 Q. And the amount of activity that birds indulge in is
56 influenced by stocking densities, is it not?
57 A. Yes, it is. It is influenced by a whole lot of
58 factors.
59
60 Q. So the greater the stocking density the less the chickens
