Day 064 - 08 Dec 94 - Page 06

     
     1        All raw material procurement is the responsibility of the
     2        processor and they, in turn, are responsible to us.
     3
     4   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Could you give me the number of that page
     5        again?
     6
     7   MS. STEEL:  It is page 21.  So, where at the bottom of the
     8        column before that this quotes you as saying:  "All our
     9        suppliers are constantly monitored to ensure they that
    10        comply with UK and EC Environmental, Social, Animal Welfare
    11        and Agro-chemical Guidelines"?
    12        A.  Yes.
    13
    14   Q.   "We then asked them to apply the same quality controls on
    15        their suppliers"?
    16        A.  Right.
    17
    18   Q.   What monitoring do you do of your suppliers?
    19        A.  The monitoring we would do would come through our
    20        Quality Assurance Department.  If they make statements like
         the statement you have just quoted, that all of their
    22        suppliers must sign a statement confirming they comply with
    23        EC Animal Welfare Regulations, they must be able to back up
    24        to our Quality Assurance Department and they do.
    25
    26   Q.   How do they do that then?
    27        A.  They will show us the statements that they have signed
    28        from their raw material suppliers.
    29
    30   Q.   Have you asked to see them frequently or what is the
    31        situation?
    32        A.  Our QA Department would monitor them annually
    33        basically.  It is not something that changes very
    34        frequently.
    35
    36   Q.   How long has that been going on?
    37        A.  In terms of signing statements to comply with EC
    38        Regulations, almost from the beginning of production by
    39        McKey Foods.  In terms of -----
    40
    Q.   So that was 1974, was it not?
    42        A.  No, no, they started in 1978.
    43
    44   Q.   Right.  So since then they would have given you copies of
    45        signed certificates or signed letters or something to
    46        confirm that all their beef suppliers were complying with
    47        EC Animal Welfare Regulations?
    48        A.  No, I did not say that.
    49
    50   Q.   No, I am asking you. 
    51        A.  They do not give us copies, no.  The copies are 
    52        available at McKey Foods to our Quality Assurance 
    53        Department.
    54
    55   Q.   Right, so to make these checks involves making a visit.  It
    56        is not something that is done through the post or at a
    57        meeting?
    58        A.  Right, yes.
    59
    60   Q.   Yes.  You have to make a visit?