Day 094 - 01 Mar 95 - Page 47


     
     1
     2   Q.   So what would happen if the glands could not be found, they
     3        had been chucked in a bucket somewhere?
     4        A.  I do not know.  I am not going to speculate on that.
     5        I cannot speculate on that.
     6
     7   Q.   Is it then usual practice for the head and carcass to be
     8        washed with high pressure water?
     9        A.  High pressure water?
    10
    11   Q.   Yes, spray?
    12        A.  Yes.
    13
    14   Q.   Would you agree that whilst that may wash off visible dirt
    15        it may actually cause bacteria to become more embedded in
    16        the meat?
    17        A.  No, that is an incorrect statement.
    18
    19   Q.   Why do you feel that is an incorrect statement?
    20        A.  Because I have seen data in which that case has been
    21        compared and, in fact, the data, there is a lot of data
    22        that showed that it is actually better.  If you do it
    23        right, it is better.
    24
    25   Q.   If you do it right, it is better?
    26        A.  That is correct.
    27
    28   Q.   What is better?
    29        A.  The microbiological level.
    30
    31   Q.   Were these tests, the data that you have seen, the tests,
    32        were they on the surface of the meat?
    33        A.  Yes.  Mostly on the surface of the meat, yes, the
    34        carcass.
    35
    36   Q.   So they would not necessarily discover the bacteria that
    37        had gone further into the meat?
    38        A.  That is extremely difficult for the bacteria to go
    39        inside the meat.  The bacteria is located on the outside of
    40        the meat.
    41
    42   Q.   But it could be washed into crevices in the meat or
    43        something like that?
    44        A.  The carcass does not have crevices.  It is a smooth
    45        surface until it is deboned.  It could be when the tests
    46        were done it was taking that into consideration; it was a
    47        representative sample.
    48
    49   Q.   Is it right that carcasses move around the killing floor at
    50        a rate of about 325 an hour? 
    51        A.  I never seen that ----- 
    52 
    53   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Can we just get this in context?  You have
    54        said that you have not actually visited this plant?
    55        A.  That is correct.
    56
    57   Q.   So I am assuming when you give answers you are not saying
    58        specifically "yes" or "no" in relation to this plant, but
    59        speaking of your general experience of such plants in the
    60        United States; is that correct?

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