Day 292 - 01 Nov 96 - Page 23


     
     1        not have McDonald's supply sources from round the world but
     2        we know they are supplied from North America and Europe.
     3        USA and Canada, for example, there is much logging and
     4        clear cutting of natural forest.  In the Czech republic,
     5        forests are being cut down faster than they can be
     6        regenerated, not naturally regenerated but regenerated as
     7        mono-cultures, but in any event they are not being
     8        regenerated in any form as fast as they are being cut
     9        down.  Finland and Sweden, very little ancient forest
    10        remains, hundreds of species which are dependent on forest
    11        eco-systems are endangered by modern forestry methods, and
    12        in the UK since the Second World War over 40 percent of
    13        what little ancient woodland existed then has been felled,
    14        largely being replaced by conifer plantations which, of
    15        course, could not compare with the biological diversity in
    16        forests and also lead to the acidification of water
    17        courses.  No doubt, one of the problems identified by
    18        McDonald's in that leaflet about pollution.
    19
    20        He explained how the scale of world pulp production had
    21         "increased by five times over the last 40 years, and was
    22        the major use of timber from managed forests."  The last 40
    23        years being significant, of course, because that is when
    24        the rise of the fast food industry has occurred.  Obviously
    25        there has been a generally developing society towards
    26        wasteful packaging, and we would say the food industry has
    27        certainly played its part in that irresponsible generation
    28        of wasteful packaging.
    29
    30        He was also concerned with the effects of pulp production
    31        due to the highly polluting milling processes, and we have
    32        heard, although it has been ruled out as an issue, about
    33        the use of chlorine damaging the environment, chlorine and
    34        dioxine related chemicals in production.
    35
    36   MR JUSTICE BELL:  I ruled that that was not relevant and you are
    37        stuck with that.
    38
    39   MR. MORRIS:   For good or worse, we still believe it is
    40        relevant.
    41
    42   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I have made a ruling which is binding.  So
    43        that is one matter not only need you not address me on, but
    44        you must not.  Just pause a moment.  The topics which
    45        I ruled were not admissible, and I suggest you have a quick
    46        look over the weekend, were the possible adverse effects on
    47        the environment of pulp processing to make paper and of
    48        incineration to dispose of waste paper or paper board.  The
    49        date of my ruling was 15th December 1995.  (Pause).
    50
    51   MR. MORRIS:   Going back to Mr. Hopkins.  In order to protect
    52        forests the first priority is to reduce paper consumption,
    53        especially in rich countries which consume vast
    54        quantities.  He said that significant quantities existed of
    55        alternative plant sources of paper fibre, for example,
    56        cannafe, hemp, bagasse, cotton waste, and it was often of
    57        better quality than wood pulp.
    58
    59        Now, Mr. Mallinson, for McDonald's... (Pause) We say that
    60        although he was called for McDonald's, and I have got the

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