Day 098 - 07 Mar 95 - Page 47


     
     1        and refusing to budge?
     2        A.  That is the idea, yes.
     3
     4   Q.   Were you aware of the Farm Animal Welfare Council report of
     5        1984?
     6        A.  No.
     7
     8   Q.   Were you aware of any kind of report like that that made
     9        over 100 recommendations with regard to rearing and
    10        slaughter?
    11        A.  I am aware of various codes of practice which have been
    12        published with regard to slaughter.  Rearing is not really
    13        my field.
    14
    15   Q.   OK.  In terms of the ones with regard to slaughter, have
    16        you implemented any recommendations?
    17        A.  It is hard to say.  I mean, it depends on -- without
    18        seeing these codes of practice, I could not tell you
    19        whether we have implemented them or not.
    20
    21   Q.   I know pithing is not a welfare or it is not viewed -----
    22
    23   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Not an animal welfare consideration.
    24
    25   MS. STEEL:  No, but that process has changed in the last couple
    26        of years.  You know, are there other aspects of the
    27        slaughter practices that have changed over the last, say,
    28        five years or so that you are aware of?
    29        A.  I do not think fundamentally there have been any
    30        changes as far as that end of the operation is concerned.
    31        We might have bought new machinery or whatever further
    32        along the line but I do not think there have been any
    33        changes over the last five years there.
    34
    35   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  This is the actual slaughtering?
    36        A.  Yes.
    37
    38   Q.   You are thinking about?
    39        A.  Yes.
    40
    41   Q.   For how long have you been involved with the animal side as
    42        opposed to being on the testing side?  For how long have
    43        you had some experience of what goes on on the slaughter
    44        line?  Has that been throughout your 12 years?
    45        A.  Really, the vast majority of it, yes, sir.
    46
    47   Q.   I think what Ms. Steel is really asking for is, can you
    48        think of any change which you can call up to mind which you
    49        would say was related to improving animal welfare, do you
    50        understand? 
    51        A.  Yes, I do understand.  We have increased the size of 
    52        the cartridges we use for the slaughtering. 
    53
    54   MS. STEEL:  What size did they used to be?
    55        A.  I think they were 2.5 grain, but I am not quite sure.
    56
    57   Q.   When was that change made?
    58        A.  I honestly do not know.
    59
    60   Q.   You are aware of Dr. Gregory visiting your plant?

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