Day 081 - 31 Jan 95 - Page 23


     
     1        results recorded by staff.  Is that what you were told when
     2        you say "reported"?
     3        A.  Yes.
     4
     5   Q.   The final paragraph on this page, you say:  "In order to
     6        maintain a high quality hygienic product, water sprays were
     7        restricted to those necessary at the source station where
     8        carcasses were split".  Is there a benefit of not using the
     9        water spray in terms of hygiene?
    10        A.  Yes, if they can be avoided, they should be avoided.
    11
    12   Q.   Right.  Why is that?
    13        A.  Because there is always the danger that they can
    14        actually cross-contaminate; the sprays themselves may
    15        contaminate something else or wash contamination on to
    16        something.
    17
    18   Q.   Is it also possible that the spray could cause bacteria to
    19        become more deeply embedded in the meat?
    20        A.  Well, I do not really think that is a significant
    21        factor.  That is not the reason why sprays are discouraged.
    22
    23   Q.   Is that possible or is that just a minor factor compared
    24        to   -----
    25        A.  I do not know any work that has actually shown that.
    26        I have done no work in that area.
    27
    28   Q.   So the main risk is cross-contamination through the water?
    29        A.  Yes.
    30
    31   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I was going to ask you, have you ever read or
    32        heard of deeper embedding as a result of spraying being a
    33        concern?
    34        A.  No, I have not, sir.
    35
    36   Q.   It is that water which might become contaminated from
    37        hitting something contaminated might then splash on to
    38        something else, is it?
    39        A.  Yes, sir, yes.
    40
    41   MS. STEEL:   In the fourth paragraph, when I asked you about the
    42        daily hygiene checks being reported, and you said that that
    43        was what you were told, does that also apply to the
    44        microbiological monitoring in the last sentence of that
    45        paragraph that you have referred to as being "reported"?
    46        A.  Yes, I was not there sufficiently long to make checks
    47        on everything they did and they reported to me that they
    48        did these.
    49
    50   Q.   On a daily basis? 
    51        A.  On a daily basis. 
    52 
    53   Q.   How long were you there for?
    54        A.  I would estimate about two and a half, three hours.
    55
    56   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  That is at Midland Meat Packers?
    57        A.  Yes.
    58
    59   MS. STEEL:  How long were you at McKey's for?
    60        A.  I think McKey's, it might have been somewhat shorter,

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