Day 066 - 14 Dec 94 - Page 50


     
     1   Q.   Then we see the cattle stun pen which does not seem to have
     2        any way out at the front.  How would the stunned beast be
     3        deposited by the bleed hoist; how would that happen?
     4        A.  They will fall through a -- there is a big step going
     5        down and will fall, usually it is stainless, it is a
     6        stainless door that will fall, and the animal will slide
     7        down and then it is shackled.
     8
     9   Q.   Then it is shackled.  Upon which part of its anatomy?
    10        A.  The hind leg.
    11
    12   Q.   Then it is lifted up and then it goes round the line, so on
    13        so forth?
    14        A.  That is correct.
    15
    16   Q.   What chance an animal waiting in the cattle race could see
    17        its predecessor hoisted up after it has been shackled?
    18        A.  None, it does not have access, does not have any view.
    19
    20   Q.   Then we see the next stage in its journey after it has gone
    21        up is the blood trough; is that where it is bled out?
    22        A.  That is correct.
    23
    24   Q.   Then we go on and we see head removal area, various blue
    25        squares marked "apron wash", "hand wash" -- I am the only
    26        one who has a coloured ---
    27        A.  I could not find the blue.
    28
    29   Q.   -- copy.  Sorry, my mistake.  Anyhow, there are two little
    30        irregular blocks beside the legging and transfer platform
    31        which are coloured blue in my copy which are entitled
    32        "apron wash" and "hand wash"; do you see those?
    33        A.  Yes.
    34
    35   Q.   The word "sterile" with a full stop is written besides?
    36        A.  Yes.
    37
    38   Q.   Would those normally be sterile units, sterilization units?
    39        A.  Yes, usually it is water heated by steam.
    40
    41   Q.   Then opposite those there is another little square with
    42        "horn cutters sterile" written over it; do you see that?
    43        A.  Yes.
    44
    45   Q.   What is that for?  What function is that for?
    46        A.  To clean the equipment.
    47
    48   Q.   What is the "horn cutter" -- I know it may be obvious?
    49        A.  It is a device used to cut the horns when the animals
    50        have come into the plant with horns.  They just cut them. 
    51 
    52   Q.   In this country quite lot of the animals have their horns 
    53        removed at an earlier stage in their life.  Does that
    54        happen in the United States?
    55        A.  It is common in many countries, yes.
    56
    57   Q.   So far as you know, does that cause the animals any pain or
    58        discomfort?
    59        A.  If it is done properly, no, the horn is made of an
    60        inert protein, so it is very similar -- it is the same

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