Day 020 - 28 Jul 94 - Page 14


     
     1
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I thought we were referring to the situation
     2        we have in that paragraph on page 250.
 
     3   MS. STEEL:  You gave 105 milliamps time to recovery or time to
              the period when they might start recovering consciousness
     4        was 52 seconds?
              A.  That is correct.
     5
         Q.   So if the current was only 60 milliamps, that time would
     6        be shorter?
              A.  That is likely.
     7
         Q.   So it is actually quite possible that a bird could regain
     8        consciousness before it actually dies?
              A.  It is possible; it depends.  In that situation you are
     9        doing the cut as well, whereas in the experimental
              situation we were not cutting, we were just stunning the
    10        bird and leaving it.  So we had the time to recovery
              without cutting.  The purpose of the stunning and
    11        slaughtering procedure is to stun, cut quickly, to avoid
              that recovery.
    12
         Q.   But the recommendation to avoid recovery is to cut both
    13        carotid arteries?
              A.  To minimise the risk.
    14
         Q.   That was not being done at Sun Valley poultry?
    15        A.  That is correct.
 
    16   Q.   So the risk was greater?
              A.  The risk was there.
    17
         Q.   What are the recommendations you usually make in terms of
    18        current per bird?
              A.  Prior to the code of practice we were recommending 120
    19        milliamps per bird.
 
    20   Q.   Why was that?
              A.  That was based on a different criteria which is even
    21        more stringent than the behavioural criteria.  It was
              based on a physiological criteria where we provided the
    22        animal with an external stimulus.  We looked for a
              response in the brain.  When that response is absent we
    23        can unequivocally say that the animal is unconscious.  It
              is a very rigorous criteria because it is probably a
    24        profound state of brain failure.
 
    25   Q.   That is the method that you feel is the best one to use to
              be on the safe side? 
    26        A.  Absolutely. 
  
    27   Q.   Right.  Is that also the recommendation or the method that
              the RSPCA is the best way of doing things?
    28        A.  I believe so.  I would have to check on that, to be
              confident.  You are thinking of freedom foods now, are
    29        you?
 
    30   Q.   No, I am not actually.
              A.  I beg your pardon.

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