Day 018 - 26 Jul 94 - Page 14

     
     1        with a gait score of 1?
              A.  Yes.
     2
         Q.   There were 24 per cent with a gait score of 2?
     3        A.  Yes.
 
     4   Q.   And a mere 7 per cent with a gait score of 3?
              A.  Yes.
     5
         Q.   As to the general welfare of those birds, how do you say
     6        that the operation at Sun Valley in this regard rated in
              terms of animal welfare?
     7        A.  Compared with other units?
 
     8   Q.   Yes.
              A.  It rated highly.  There was a lower prevalence of gait
     9        score 3, and there was an absence of gait scores 4 and 5.
              In terms of, I think what is implicit in your question is
    10        where I put the threshold in terms of welfare.  Is that
              correct?
    11
         Q.   It was not, but please tell us.  That is important.
    12        A.  Because that is a difficult question to answer.  It is
              one that is -- there are attempts being made at resolving
    13        that question.  It is suspected that impoverished welfare,
              the interface between impoverished and adequate welfare
    14        lies somewhere within gait score category 3, it is
              suspected, but at the moment there is no evidence which
    15        supports or refutes that.
 
    16   Q.   So somewhere within our 7 per cent, according to that
              view, might be found birds who are on the wrong side of
    17        the threshold?
              A.  Yes.
    18
         Q.   Have I understood that correctly?
    19        A.  Yes.  That is a view of some research scientists.
 
    20   Q.   Does your own view differ from that?
              A.  No.
    21
         Q.   Can I ask you this, because I think twice now you said you
    22        would like to compare the standards at Sun Valley with
              those of other establishments.  I take it you have
    23        examined other establishments?
              A.  Yes.
    24
         Q.   In large numbers?
    25        A.  Yes, larger than reported here, in fact.
  
    26   Q.   It would, of course, in an ideal world, no doubt you would 
              say be desirable, that all birds should have a gait store 
    27        score of nil, zero?
              A.  Yes.
    28
         Q.   Do you see that as being achievable in practical or
    29        realistic terms?
              A.  Within the present broiler industry, it is highly
    30        unlikely.