Day 001 - 28 Jun 94 - Page 56
1 methane. It is well known that methane is one of the
gases which contribute to global warming. Many cattle
2 throughout the world contribute to McDonald's hamburgers.
Therefore, say the defendants, McDonald's are damaging the
3 environment by their use of cattle.
4 My Lord, the fact is that McDonald's consume approximately
(this is a calculation done by Mr. Gonzales) 0.67 per cent
5 of the worlds's beef each year. This means that
McDonald's are indirectly responsible for a maximum, if
6 one counts the whole cow, of approximately 0.67 of methane
emitted annually in the world by cattle, never mind pigs,
7 sheep, deer, goats swamps, marshes and human beings and
anything else anyone can think of that emits methane.
8
My Lord, it is not a serious point, as I said. With that,
9 I conclude my opening, save to invite your Lordship to
look at this video. As I said, it was compiled by
10 children at school in Swiss Cottage with the co-operation
of McDonald's Restaurants in that area of London.
11
MISS STEEL: Before this is shown, could we speak to our
12 McKenzie friends, please?
13 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes.
14 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Miss Steel, I think the easiest thing is
that I will just rise. If you want to take some advice on
15 it I will come back at a quarter to 4.
16 (Short Adjournment)
17 MISS STEEL: Thank you for the adjournment. We just wanted to
point out that the procedural requirements in respect of
18 this video have not been met. It was only served last
night around, well, it was between 6 and 7 on me and
19 Mr. Morris has not seen a copy at all. He was not served
with a copy. However, we are not proposing to object to
20 this being shown now in the interests of the smooth
running of this case and the opening, but we thought you
21 should be aware of the fact that Mr. Morris not seen it.
22 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes, but having made your point about that,
you in fact have no objection to it being shown now?
23
MISS STEEL: No.
24
MR. RAMPTON: That is very good of Miss Steel and Mr. Morris.
25 It may be that there are procedural requirements which
should be fulfilled. If there are, then we will observe
26 them. I think I have already said it but I should repeat
it, that it is not made by McDonald's. It was made by
27 some school children with the co-operation of McDonald's
Restaurants, Swiss Cottage. When they made the film, the
28 school children gave a copy to the staff at the
restaurant. The main office only got a copy of it very
29 recently. I did not see it myself until last night for
the first time.
30
(The video was then shown)
