Day 002 - 29 Jun 94 - Page 07

     
     1        we can assure you that the only Brazilian beef used by
              McDonald's is that purchased by the six stores located in
     2        Brazil itself".
 
     3        In a letter to the BBC dated 1st May 1984, McDonald's
              solicitors wrote to the BBC threatening legal action over
     4        a programme in the nature series which was on the subject
              of destruction of rainforests in Central and South America
     5        and their replacement with cattle ranches.  They asked the
              BBC to broadcast the following apology:
     6
              "Before the start of this evening's programme we wish to
     7        broadcast an apology.  Viewers who saw last Thursday's
              programme on the destruction of rainforests in Central
     8        America and the replacement with cattle ranches may have
              gained the impression that one of the hamburger companies
     9        importing beef from these ranches into the United States
              was McDonald's.
    10
              As a result of information which has come to us since that
         programme, we now know that such a view would be
              completely wrong and that in keeping with their corporate
    12        philosophy of conservation, wild life and raw materials,
              nowhere in the world do McDonald's buy any beef from
    13        rainforest areas.  We apologise to McDonald's for any
              embarrassment that our programme may have caused them."
    14
              I emphasise the phrase:  "Nowhere in the world do
    15        McDonald's buy any beef from rainforest areas".
 
    16        I would now like to read to the court another document
              contained within that bundle.  The document is undated.
    17
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Do you have a reference to that document?
    18
         MISS STEEL:  I have not because we have not had time to put our
    19        bundles in order.  It is in the file of correspondence
              about the dispute with the World Wild Life Fund.
    20
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Do not worry now.  On some occasion give me
         the reference.  Do not interrupt yourself now.
 
    22   MR. RAMPTON:  I can probably find it.
 
    23   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes.  You were going to a second letter.
 
    24   MISS STEEL:  I will not read all of the document, but I will
              read a couple of paragraphs.  The document is undated but
    25        we believe it was written in 1983, or thereabouts.  It
              says:  "In England McKey Food Services Limited, mostly 
    26        owned by McDonald's Corporation, provides all McDonald's 
              meat".  Further on down the page there is a sentence which 
    27        reads:  "In the past 12 months, in order to be able to
              tender for intervention meat, McKey (the company) Limited
    28        have purchased four consignments of meat from Brazil, each
              of 20 tons."
    29
              This is a document of the plaintiffs and it clearly shows
    30        that their claims not to use any beef from rainforest
              countries is an out and out lie.  We believe this document