Day 067 - 15 Dec 94 - Page 46
1 with all the regulations and policies.
2
3 MR. MORRIS: Mr. Gonzalez, are you saying that every supplier
4 that supplies McDonald's in the world has to visit the USA
5 first; you personally acquaint yourself with the conditions
6 in their plant to see if they comply with the Humane
7 Slaughter Act document laws which you do not have in your
8 department?
9 A. I am not saying that, no.
10
11 Q. Is that your efficient way of carrying out your business?
12 A. Yes, it is an efficient way, but let me answer that new
13 question. Our suppliers are not required to visit the
14 United States. They are required to understand our
15 policies, procedures and regulations from which we
16 operate. They can go to other suppliers, they can come
17 into the UK. They go what we consider world class
18 suppliers that are around the world. The US is not by any
19 means the best at everything they do. We bring them into
20 Europe, we take them to Australia, we take them to
21 Argentina. We take them to the best places that we
22 consider are the best training grounds and the best,
23 efficient way to do it; it could be because they are closer
24 ---
25
26 Q. But you have said -----
27 A. But, sir, again would you let me finish my statement?
28
29 Q. You will have to be here three weeks -----
30
31 MR. JUSTICE BELL: No, you must let him finish. But, quite
32 frankly, I think your point is simply this. I do not think
33 you need ask, if I may suggest, any further questions about
34 it. You say that Dr. Gomez Gonzalez is saying that
35 McDonald's policy in this area is the provisions of the
36 Humane Slaughter Act and the code of practice which in some
37 way (which at the moment I do not understand) is related to
38 it. You say, if that is so, in America, the suppliers, it
39 ought to be ascertained by McDonald's, should have a copy
40 of the Act and any relevant code of practice and, even more
41 so, should they in countries outside the United States,
42 which are not actually bound by the law of the United
43 States, and you say that that clearly has not been done.
44
45 I have got that point. We will have to see if there is any
46 more evidence on the point which comes out, any
47 documentation in relation to the relevant Act or Acts and
48 any relevant code of practice, but that is where you have
49 got to at the moment. You have to ask yourself whether any
50 further question on that point is going to strengthen your
51 position.
52
53 MR. MORRIS: When you disclosed the Mark Pattison document from
54 April 1993 -- there is a very strong animal welfare lobby
55 in this country, is there not?
56 A. That is correct.
57
58 Q. Are the UK welfare regulations stronger than most
59 countries?
60 A. You can make that statement.
