Day 016 - 22 Jul 94 - Page 55


     
     1        farming methods; is that right?
              A.  Yes, again I would need to go back and look at the
     2        original papers on this, but I think that the application
              of nitrogenous fertilizers can have an effect on the
     3        actual concentration of nitrate in fruit and vegetables,
              but I do not carry the details around in my head.
     4
         Q.   OK.  I do not really want to get sidetracked.
     5        Let me just come back to the use of sodium nitrate and
              nitrites?
     6        A.  Yes, well, I think you have to accept that if it is
              satisfactory in people who normally have a much higher
     7        level, then there is not really going to be a problem with
              meat eaters where the level in the diet is much lower.
     8
         Q.   It does not actually say it is satisfactory and, as I say,
     9        we have not seen the report so we cannot really go into
              detail about that.
    10
         MR. RAMPTON:  I am wondering about that.  I cannot find my
    11        Professor Walker's volume at the moment, but I rather
              suspect that it may be in there in which case the
    12        defendants either have not bothered to read it or -----
 
    13   MS. STEEL:  Or have not had time to read all the papers
              relating to Mr. Walker yet because he has not giving
    14        evidence yet.  I do not particularly want to get
              sidetracked anyway.
    15
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  In any event, on this point we have just had
    16        evidence from this witness that there is no evidence that
              he is aware that the levels in a vegetarian diet, albeit
    17        higher than those in an omnivorous diet, do any harm to
              the person following the vegetarian diet.
    18
         MS. STEEL:  But going back to the use of sodium nitrate to
    19        preserve meat, you were saying something this morning
              about you can actually use different methods of
    20        preservation, is that right?
              A.  Yes.
    21
         Q.   So, instead of using sodium nitrate other methods could be
    22        used?
              A.  No, you could not make bacon because nitrate is an
    23        essential constituent in the curing process.  You could
              preserve pig meat in other ways.  You would not be able to
    24        do that with beef.
 
    25   MS. STEEL:  So it is a problem related to meat?
  
    26   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  What is the problem?  What are you saying 
              the problem is? 
    27
         MS. STEEL:  According to what Mr. Wheelock said himself, there
    28        are concerns and that the SCF is, understandably,
              cautious.  Bearing in mind the caution expressed by the
    29        SCF, have you advised McDonald's to stop using this
              particular additive?
    30        A.  No, I have not, because I accept the conclusions that
              have been reached, bearing in mind the way of the

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