Day 240 - 24 Apr 96 - Page 31


     
     1        the oil crisis of the mid 1970s.
     2
     3   Q.   Thank you. Leave it there.  See if you can get through the
     4        rest and then we will adjourn, Mr. Morris.
     5
     6   MR. MORRIS:  Yes.
     7
     8   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  "While land is under pasture".
     9
    10   MR. MORRIS: "4.3. While land is under pasture, and used for
    11        cattle ranching, it is impossible for either natural
    12        regeneration or reforestation to occur.  The demand for
    13        beef and beef products therefore can be said to directly
    14        prevent such regeneration or reforestation on those lands.
    15
    16        4.4.  Most, if not all, tropical forest types require
    17        several hundred years of naturally occurring regeneration
    18        before primary tree species become established, and the
    19        forest has reached its mature or final phase of
    20        successional development.  It is in these forest times that
    21        generally the highest diversity of species are found.
    22        Earlier establishment and secondary phases occur over
    23        decadeal to century time scales (depending on the species
    24        and forest ecosystem type) as does planned and deliberate
    25        reforestation."
    26
    27        Can you just explain that, I am in a bit of a hurry but can
    28        you just explain what you mean by "decadeal to century time
    29        scales"?
    30
    31   MR. RAMPTON:  Can I make an intervention that is supposed to be
    32        helpful.  We have gone quite slowly this morning. I do not
    33        at the moment, unless he comes up with something very
    34        surprising, any cross-examination of this witness.
    35
    36   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes..
    37
    38   MR. RAMPTON:  I am wondering if your Lordship would think of
    39        sitting maybe to quarter past and then we can all go away
    40        and not have to come back?
    41
    42   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Except I want to spend a bit of time talking
    43        about witnesses to be read on Friday, so generally I would
    44        accede to that.
    45
    46   MR. MORRIS:  At least the witness will be able to be ----
    47
    48   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I am sure it was intended to help, but do not
    49        rush.  We will adjourn now and you can start with your
    50        question you were about to ask at 2 o'clock. 
    51 
    52   MR. MORRIS:  Okay. 
    53
    54   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  If you can bear in mind what I have just
    55        said, I would like to fill time on Friday with reading
    56        Civil Evidence Act witnesses in relation to the environment
    57        and I would like you just to spend a few minutes talking
    58        about that later this afternoon.
    59
    60                        (Luncheon adjournment)

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