Day 049 - 09 Nov 94 - Page 18
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2 MR. JUSTICE BELL: All I intervened for was because it crossed
3 my mind that there might be no distinction between
4 McDonald's and anyone else who puts any food in front of a
5 small child; and that is why I asked the questions I did.
6 You carry on.
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8 MS. STEEL: The lack of association between the animal and the
9 product that is being sold, do you feel that advertising
10 plays some role in that?
11 A. Yes, I do. I mean, as I am saying, it sort of
12 positively encourages the children to think of the product
13 as often non-animal based.
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15 Q. Are you saying that the advertisements just put over the
16 fun side of things and do not encourage children to look at
17 what the reality is, or it takes their attention away from
18 what the reality is?
19 A. That is one of the things I was saying, yes. I mean,
20 with something like, for example, the chicken that
21 McDonald's sell, all of that chicken comes from broiler
22 chickens who are very intensively farmed; and of course
23 McDonald's do not show children or adults the conditions of
24 those chickens, so of course they do not encourage them to
25 think about the reality of the situation.
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27 They also do not encourage them to think about the reality
28 of the health situation, with eating too much of McDonald's
29 products.
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31 It is all those things, combined with using characters like
32 ronald mcdonald to young children, making them believe it
33 is something that is good and positive and normal. It is
34 all those things.
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36 MS. STEEL: Is it going further than just not encouraging
37 people to look? Are you saying that----
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39 MR. JUSTICE BELL: We have had the answer. By all means, ask
40 another question, but do not suggest what the answer might
41 be.
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43 MS. STEEL: I am trying to think of how to----
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45 MR. RAMPTON: My Lord, subject to your Lordship's intervention
46 of course, you will have noticed that I have absolutely
47 remained silent during all these leading questions. It
48 does not trouble me.
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50 MR. JUSTICE BELL: It carries more impact, in any event, if it
51 is not just agreeing with the suggestion you put to the
52 witness. But the fact is that Ms. Gallatley has explained
53 what she means. If there is something you do not
54 understand, then the more you will ask, but do not suggest
55 what it might actually be.
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57 MS. STEEL: The problem is, I am trying to do it from the
58 statement and what I am aware of. I do not know. I think
59 I understand what she is saying, but from what----
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