Day 018 - 26 Jul 94 - Page 77


     
     1        abattoir situations, is a poor combination in many
              plants.  That work has been published and is in the
     2        files.
 
     3        In the case of cattle, generally preslaughter handling is
              not too bad.  It depends a bit on the animal to be quite
     4        honest.  There is a growing area of continental breed
              animals which are farmed under reasonably easy-care
     5        systems, they might be out on a moor or in fairly
              extensive conditions, which are not used to being
     6        handled.  Put them in an abattoir situation and things can
              get out of hand.  They are difficult animals to handle.
     7        They get upset.  They get flighty and misadventures happen
              in that situation.  It does not apply to a large
     8        proportion of the cattle population, but it is a problem
              area.
     9
              In terms of stunning the cattle themselves, the accuracy
    10        of the shooting is one thing which has been touched upon,
              and that is to some extent a problem area where
    11        under-sized cartridges are used.  Under-sized cartridges
              would be used where the management is trying to cut
    12        costs.  That does happen sometimes; only occasionally but
              some plants, yes.
    13
         Q.   Is that something where there has been an improvement
    14        since the recommendations?
              A.  Yes.  I would definitely say that is highly likely.
    15        I think people are using, to the best of my knowledge, the
              appropriate grain cartridge for the gun for the animal,
    16        the one that is recommended by the manufacturers.  I think
              people are being a bit more diligent about that and
    17        saying: Right, we will not try to cut corners on this one
              in terms of cost.
    18
         Q.   They are trying to comply to the codes of practice?
    19        A.  Yes.  That is not spelt out in the codes of practice
              as to what combination they should use.  It is according
    20        to gun manufacturer's recommendation.  I think that is a
              fair generalisation.  It was evident in the plants
    21        I visited in the course of these proceedings.  That was a
              good reflection of using the right combination of power
    22        cartridge, size of animal and the right gun.
 
    23   Q.   Was that an improvement on what had been used previously?
              A.  Yes.  One of the weaknesses was that people were using
    24        a 2.5 grain cartridge for large cattle in the 1987
              reported survey.  It was an under-powered cartridge for
    25        some cattle, yes.
  
    26   Q.   That was a McKey supplier? 
              A.  It did not say that, no. 
    27
         Q.   No, I am asking.  Sorry, was that?
    28        A.  I cannot tell you.  I do not know.  I honestly do not
              know.
    29
         Q.   What about the recommendations made in terms of poultry
    30        slaughter, have there been big improvements in that or has
              that improved generally?

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