Day 113 - 03 Apr 95 - Page 43


     
     1        particular concern over the last 10 years has been how to
     2        deal with casualty animals, fallen stock, as they are
     3        called.  It is particularly appropriate in the dairy beef
     4        because, you see, if a cow who is very heavy and ungainly
     5        goes down, breaks a bone, cannot get up, she is called a
     6        downer cow.
     7
     8   Q.   How often does that happen?
     9        A.  It happens quite frequently in dairy herds.  I suppose
    10        one in 500, but it is a major welfare problem, because if
    11        the farmer has the knacker in and knackers the cow, then
    12        she is only worthwhile going to the local hunt or something
    13        like that.  He may not even get the money to take her
    14        away.  He may have to pay to take her away.
    15
    16        So, he is very much interested in getting that animal to
    17        slaughterhouse where he might get £450 or £500.  It makes
    18        that much difference.  If the animal is suffering, then you
    19        have to consider very much the welfare aspect.
    20
    21        Some years ago there were cases of animals being winched on
    22        to lorries, pulled along by the winch on to the lorry, in
    23        order to race them to the slaughterhouse.  Now, the animal
    24        welfare groups, all of them, including the British
    25        Veterinary Association, have tightened up on this in the
    26        last few years, largely as pressure from the animal welfare
    27        groups.  Now, with the European Union, this has achieved
    28        some effect, so that is one major item of welfare.  We have
    29        still have concerns but something has happened.
    30
    31   Q.   Which is sick or diseased ---
    32        A.  Yes.
    33
    34   Q.   -- or a damaged animal.
    35
    36   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  As I understand it, that would mean that the
    37        animal cannot stand or has some difficulty in doing so by
    38        the time it arrives at the slaughterhouse?
    39        A.  Yes, it should be accompanied by a veterinary
    40        certificate for two reasons; one, it is fit to travel
    41        without undue pain and, second -----
    42
    43   Q.   But that would or should be apparent to an observer when it
    44        arrives at the slaughterhouse, should it not?
    45        A.  It should be and, in fact, it has sometimes meant that
    46        actions have had to be taken further back.  It is rather
    47        late, as far as the animal is concerned, but this has
    48        resulted in prosecutions going back to the farmer who has
    49        let such an animal come in.
    50 
    51   MR. MORRIS:  Let us just step back a bit.  Is there a general 
    52        problem that some of the cattle transported will be sick or 
    53        diseased or whatever?
    54        A.  Well ----
    55
    56   Q.   Or become ----
    57        A.  As it happens, I am telling you what has happened now
    58        is that the farmer would have to get a vet's certificate
    59        for two reasons; one is that the animal is fit enough to be
    60        taken in in certain circumstances and, secondly, that in

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