Day 019 - 27 Jul 94 - Page 53


     
     1        layers concerned with the McDonald's system -- so you just
              have to weigh up whether it is worth going into the egg
     2        layers in any detail.
 
     3   MR. MORRIS:  Yes.  Just Some general points about -----
              A.  Can I clarify a point before we start?  Is it the
     4        generalities of Oasters or is it the generality of egg
              production?
     5
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Wait and hear what the question is.  I
     6        have assumed it is a few general questions about what
              happens at Oasters.
     7
         MR. MORRIS:  Let us establish that first.  The conditions at
     8        Oasters, are they generally, from your memory, roughly
              equivalent to the industry as a whole?
     9        A.  Yes.
 
    10   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Are Oasters pretty typical or not?
              A.  Yes, they are.  In terms of welfare, you are talking
    11        about?
 
    12   MR. MORRIS:  Yes, in welfare?
              A.  In terms of welfare, yes.  In terms of company
    13        structure, no.
 
    14   Q.   It is true chickens are kept in battery cages, is it not?
              A.  Yes.
    15
         Q.   With no freedom of movement?
    16        A.  They can walk about the cage.
 
    17   Q.   Right.  No access to fresh air and sunshine?
              A.  They do not have any access to out of doors which is
    18        normal practice for battery hens.
 
    19   Q.   Do you know how many chickens are kept in a cage,
              approximately?
    20        A.  If my memory serves my right, it is five.
 
    21   Q.   How large is the cage compared to an A4 sheet of paper?
              A.  I do not recall what it was for them, but when I did
    22        the measurements and did the calculations I believe they
              were within the code of practice of 450 square centimetres
    23        per bird.
 
    24   Q.   Could you just how much would that be compared -- so it
              would be smaller than an A4 sheet of paper per bird?
    25        A.  That is likely, yes.
  
    26   Q.   Could you just briefly from your experience summarise what 
              you feel the welfare problems are to do with the battery 
    27        system?
              A.  It is a limitation on the ability of the bird to
    28        express normal behaviour patterns and, in particular,
              those associated with nesting, dust bathing, running,
    29        flapping of wings and running, walking, turning round,
              stretching both their wings and their necks.
    30
         Q.   What about ----

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