Day 056 - 28 Nov 94 - Page 20

     
     1
     2   MR. MORRIS:  Yes.
     3
     4   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  So, what it seems to me you ought to be
     5        focusing on, first of all, is how much destruction of trees
     6        and forests are McDonald's actually responsible for on this
     7        point and, secondly, the extent to which that destruction
     8        is harmful.
     9
    10   MR. MORRIS:  I think that is exactly what this whole witness is
    11        about.
    12
    13   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  We have taken over an hour on what, at very
    14        most, can just be thought to be introductory matters.  All
    15        I am saying is I will rise now for five minutes.  I would
    16        encourage you to get to that which really deals with how
    17        much destruction McDonald's are responsible for, you would
    18        say, and the extent to which that destruction of trees is
    19        harmful to the environment.  That is what this section
    20         -----
    21
    22   MR. MORRIS:  The reason I am asking these questions is to
    23        identify the area of responsibility, basically.  I know it
    24        is going so slowly but it because it is a very large and
    25        complex subject.  They all are focused on that purpose
    26        which you have identified.
    27
    28   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It would be helpful to me (and I think
    29        helpful to everyone) if you remember that that is the
    30        particular focus at the end of the day that we have to come
    31        down to.
    32
    33   MR. MORRIS:  Yes.
    34
    35   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I will take a five-minute break and then we
    36        will resume.
    37
    38                           (Short adjournment)
    39
    40   MR. MORRIS:  When you say "mature trees", would you like to give
         a definition of mature trees?
    42        A.  Mature trees are those that are ready to be extracted
    43        and converted to an economic purpose.
    44
    45   Q.   Would you like to define what an "over mature tree" would
    46        be?
    47        A.  A tree that has gone beyond the point where it is
    48        growing to its full advantage and which has been retained
    49        for some reason beyond its normal maturity.
    50 
    51   Q.   When you say "its full advantage" you mean economic 
    52        advantage? 
    53        A.  Well, trees grow slower after a certain period of
    54        time.  A certain species may reach 100 years and then from
    55        then on grow much more slowly and absorb far less carbon
    56        dioxide.  A tree of 80 years in another species maybe the
    57        same.
    58
    59   Q.   But you mean economic advantage when you say "advantages"?
    60        A.  The advantage as measured economically.