Day 241 - 26 Apr 96 - Page 06
1 David Rose: Further to my original statement of 22nd April
2 1993, I wish to clarify my understanding of McDonald's
3 policy on rainforests, which was stated to me in a series
4 of interviews described in the earlier statement.
5
6 My clear understanding is that until 1988, there was no
7 formulated policy as to the time which must have elapsed
8 since the forest was cleared before beef cattle farmland
9 could be used to produce McDonald's patties. I asked the
10 firm's spokeswoman what the previous state of affairs was
11 and she said that land which had been rainforest 10 years
12 earlier might have been employed before 1988. I was
13 insistent to establish her exact meaning, and asked whether
14 this meant that in Costa Rica, land which was rainforest in
15 the mid-1970's could have been used to grow McDonald's beef
16 in the mid 1980's, and she replied in the affirmative".
17 There is not a date written by you on it, but I have a note
18 that says, "Written and received on 7th December 1993".
19
20 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Why just not ask whether that started with
21 Mr. Rose? Did you make that statement?
22 A. Yes, I did. I believe I have seen another version
23 which has a date on it but -- but certainly I made that.
24
25 Q. All you need to say now is whether what is there is true or
26 not?
27 A. It is true, my Lord.
28
29 MS. STEEL: OK. No further questions.
30
31 MR. RAMPTON: My Lord, that is a copy of the leaflet complained
32 of; it is one of the originals. (Same handed) My Lord,
33 can I at this stage politely enquire of your Lordship
34 whether I gave your Lordship one of the originals at the
35 outset of the case?
36
37 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes -- well, that is to say I have one which
38 looks like an original or a very good facsimile of it on
39 one of the tables in my room.
40
41 MR. RAMPTON: I am grateful because it is my recollection
42 I handed one in when I opened the case.
43
44 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I think I handed one in; I lost it and you
45 gave me another.
46
47 Cross-examined by MR. RAMPTON
48
49 MR. RAMPTON: Yes. (To the witness): Mr. Rose, have you seen
50 that before?
51 A. Yes, I have.
52
53 Q. Ignore the date on the front of it. That is a chance or
54 accident. Do you recall when you first saw that?
55 A. I cannot be sure, but I had certainly seen it before
56 I started making the enquiries I have described.
57
58 Q. Do you recall the circumstances in which that leaflet came
59 to your attention, or when you first saw it?
60 A. I was aware that this libel action had been launched a
