Day 020 - 28 Jul 94 - Page 77


     
     1        who Professor Mews might be?
              A.  I do know the late Alastair Mews.
     2
         Q.   He is deceased?
     3        A.  Correct.
 
     4   Q.   Who was he?
              A.  He was employed by the RSPCA, Assistant Chief
     5        Veterinary Officer, I think -- a fairly high grade
              veterinary officer.
     6
         Q.   I did not know Mr. Mews.  Can you tell us whether we might
     7        be right to conclude that the drift of that document,
              therefore, represents the RSPCA's input into this debate?
     8        Is it likely, do you think?
              A.  In that forum, it was their input.
     9
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  That was their representation on the
    10        question, was it?
              A.  That is correct.  Is it implicit in that question that
    11        he was invited to speak as the RSPCA representative?
 
    12   MR. RAMPTON:  I do not know.  You could tell us that.
              A.  I was just wondering whether it was implicit.
    13
         Q.   No, it was not. I just wanted to know whether it was a
    14        particular viewpoint.
              A.  No comment.
    15
         Q.   You went to Sun Valley in 1993.  I am going backwards, you
    16        see.  I have nothing to ask about cattle.  I have one
              question about pigs.  I have a few on chickens because
    17        they took a day and a half.  You went to Sun Valley in
              February 1993?
    18        A.  Yes.
 
    19   Q.   The systems which you examined when you got there were the
              old ones; is that right?
    20        A.  Yes.
 
    21   Q.   New ones had already been ordered?
              A.  Yes.
    22
         Q.   But you do not, I think, know precisely when they were
    23        ordered; is that right?
              A.  I do not know.
    24
         Q.   You do not know.  Can I ask you this?  So far as your own
    25        regulation and perception is concerned, what was the
              reason why Sun Valley asked you to go at that particular 
    26        time? 
              A.  They wanted an over view and an independent view on 
    27        the problems of electrical stunning and quality, in
              particular, and also an assessment on the welfare using
    28        their existing system.  They have done a lot of work on
              the effect of stunning current on quality.  I was shown
    29        that work.  They discussed it with me.  I was then asked
              to go along and assess the welfare aspects of the stunning
    30        system which they held improved the quality.
 

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