Day 018 - 26 Jul 94 - Page 57


     
     1   Q.   What I want to ask you is this:  What do you foresee might
              be the fate of the domestic animals presently living in
     2        this country if that view were to prevail within a short
              time?
     3        A.  Such that there was no slaughter of animals?
 
     4   Q.   Yes.
              A.  They would have to die from longevity or from
     5        disease.  Then we would be left with a situation where
              there would be no replacement live stock other than those
     6        which have bred spontaneously.  Presumably, we are talking
              about a situation where one is not controlling breading,
     7        is that correct -- or we do not really know, do we, to be
              honest?
     8
         Q.   I do not know.  What would happen to the chickens at
     9        Sun Valley?
              A.  There would be a shortfall in supply and Sun Valley
    10        would either have to go out of business or change
              business.
    11
         Q.   Never mind the effects which that might have on the
    12        employment of human beings and the use of commercial
              activity, what would be the consequence for the actual
    13        animals concerned?
              A.  If they were not slaughtered, they would have to die
    14        from another cause.
 
    15   Q.   What happens if you release large numbers of domestic fowl
              into the wild?
    16        A.  Oh, crikey, that is a rather startling prospect.  If
              you are going to release a lot of chickens, broiler
    17        chickens, into the wild, they would fall prey to anything
              that wanted to eat them, or get run over, or they might
    18        well meet a sticky end if there was no responsible
              attitude taken into how they should be kept.
    19
         Q.   I am sure a lot of foxes would be very happy.
    20        A.  I think this is rather .....
 
    21   Q.   I know, it is absurd I agree.  But tell me this, in your
              assessments of animal welfare, do you make a compromise
    22        between human interest and the interest of the animals?
              A.  I think when you are coming to the final decision, it
    23        has to be a measured judgment, a balanced judgment.  There
              are socioeconomic pressures which have to be considered
    24        against animal welfare; you have to take a balanced view.
              If you were taking a totally one sided view, whichever
    25        way, you are going to end up with a situation which could
              have unpleasant repercussions, not only for mankind but 
    26        for the animal itself -- you could do. 
  
    27   Q.   Given the existence in your mind of that balance,
              Sun Valley, GD Bowes, Midland Meat Packers and plant B are
    28        all commercial undertakings, are they not?
              A.  Yes.
    29
         Q.   How, in your mind, as an expert in animal welfare, do
    30        those organisations succeed in striking a reasonable
              balance?

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