Day 020 - 28 Jul 94 - Page 04

     
     1   Q.   So you want to be able to take action to prevent it?
              A.  Correct.
     2
         Q.   You recommended that when the new water bath stunners were
     3        fitted, the entry to each stunner should be fitted with an
              adjustable electrically isolated ramp up which the birds
     4        would be dragged in order to prevent prestun shocks?
              A.  Correct.
     5
         Q.   I think you said that you felt this was particularly
     6        important, given that the new lines would be operating at
              a slower speed than the existing killing line?
     7        A.  Correct.
 
     8   Q.   So shocks would actually be more likely?
              A.  Correct.
     9
         Q.   When you went back in April the birds were still receiving
    10        prestun shocks, were they not?
              A.  Correct.
    11
         Q.   Did that cause you concern?
    12        A.  Yes, it did, but I realised that the line had just
              been constructed and it is not unusual in a new
    13        construction to have some teething troubles.
 
    14   Q.   But there was no sign that an electrically isolated ramp
              was having teething troubles, was there, or was it just
    15        that there was not one at all?
              A.  The way the line was designed, if my memory serves me
    16        correctly, was that an entry ramp would not have been of
              any purpose.  An alternative to having an entry ramp is to
    17        have the overhead line dipping down as it approaches the
              water bath itself.  If you have an entry ramp, the birds
    18        will not make contact with that entry ramp if the dip on
              the line is further down the line than the entry ramp.
    19
         Q.   Are you suggesting that the dip was something they
    20        installed?
              A.  They were using a dip in the overhead line; having an
         entry ramp with that lay out would have been ineffective.
 
    22   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  What does the entry ramp do?  Holds the bird
              up so it falls down into the water?
    23        A.  Absolutely, and that is more conducive to an
              instantaneous stun.
    24
         Q.   You are saying there was a dip in the line so they were
    25        pulled down through the water, are you?
              A.  Yes.  Some processors or equipment manufacturers seem 
    26        to be of the opinion that this will help to present the 
              bird in a better manner.  I differ with that view. It does 
    27        not, in my view, prevent prestun shocks.  You still
              present the bird with its head first to the water at the
    28        same speed.
 
    29   MS. STEEL:  As you said, some of the birds were still receiving
              prestun shocks, so obviously it had not worked.
    30        A.  Yes.