Day 067 - 15 Dec 94 - Page 39
1 A. When we have meanings, quality assurance or purchasing
2 meanings, as you have seen from the report that I just
3 presented by Mr. Mark Pattison who was copy myself
4 regarding welfare issues, that is not written in respect
5 that they have to do that. We have to make and we
6 understand we have to make a lot of assumptions regarding
7 the intent of the specifications. We have to understand
8 what our needs are, and our Quality Assurance Department is
9 well aware that we have to take care of our animals. We
10 spend a lot of time and resources to ensure that as well as
11 in the education of partner, as you can see in the
12 document, which was circulated from the Europe to the US.
13
14 It is understood by myself and, perhaps, when we bring the
15 QA, the last part of Quality Assurance specification, it is
16 in my mind that I have seen that written somewhere, there
17 is a possibility that it is not written, but I am well
18 aware that that is part of my responsibility, and that
19 sense of awareness, it is shared by my peers throughout the
20 world.
21
22 MR. MORRIS: If we do not find an extra sheet that shows some
23 animal welfare specifications, if we do not find some
24 sheet, rather than having to come back to it then, or maybe
25 when you have gone, if I could put it to you now, that
26 there is no specification about animal welfare in these
27 documents because, apart from quality considerations of
28 meat, you have absolutely no interest in the welfare of
29 animals that you specify to your suppliers.
30 A. You could not be more wrong. McDonald's Corporation,
31 as well as myself and my peers, we do have a great interest
32 in the care and welfare of animals. Your statement could
33 not be more wrong.
34
35 Q. But all I am saying is, if that is true, is there a reason
36 it is not in these specifications, in the text of these
37 specifications?
38 A. I have explained many times the reason for not having
39 in the spec..
40
41 Q. Just summarise.
42 A. It is understood, it is understood by our suppliers, it
43 is understood by Quality Assurance people as well as the
44 purchasing people that that is part of our role and
45 responsibilities. If it is not written there, we will take
46 care of that. We do a lot more things that are written in
47 the specification that go far and beyond that is written
48 there. Our record proves that. We have many ways of
49 proving that. McDonald's cares about the welfare of the
50 animals. We care about the safety of the people. We care
51 about the quality of product that we make.
52
53 Q. Is there any law, Federal law, in America on the treatment
54 of animals in farms?
55 A. The Humane Slaughter Act will cover that.
56
57 Q. That applies to rearing as well as slaughter, does it?
58 A. It applies to the life-span of any animal.
59
60 Q. Does it apply to living conditions?
