Day 098 - 07 Mar 95 - Page 08

     
     1        diagram, it would be around where it says "horn cutter",
     2        our equivalent place in our slaughter hall.
     3
     4   Q.   So crossing the line is not allowed?
     5        A.  No, only at that point.
     6
     7   Q.   Why is not crossing the line allowed, if you explain?
     8        A.  Really, I suppose, I am guessing here but obviously
     9        safety reasons.  If you have an animal there which may fall
    10        off, you know, you do not want people to be under there,
    11        and it seemed a sensible place to do it from a hygiene
    12        point of view as well.
    13
    14   Q.   Is that because of cross-contamination if you are
    15        transporting?
    16        A.  Sure.  I mean, if the hide is still on the animal,
    17        then, you know, you are in danger of contaminating the
    18        flesh.
    19
    20   Q.   But after that point there could be cross-contamination, if
         you cross the line?  When the hide has been taken off and
    22        from them onwards, you are not allowed to cross the line,
    23        that may have cross-contamination implications?
    24        A.  Not necessarily.  I do not quite see -- if somebody
    25        crosses the line, I do not see in which way that would
    26        contaminate a carcass necessarily.
    27
    28   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Put to him what you are suggesting because,
    29        you see, if you just carry on a line of general enquiry you
    30        may be asking him about matters which mystify the witness
    31        because you are talking about a problem he is unaware of.
    32        I have to say you certainly mystify me, if I do not know
    33        what you are aiming at.  What are you suggesting would be
    34        the contaminating result of someone walking from one side
    35        of the line to the other?
    36
    37   MR. MORRIS:  Say you have some contaminated material ---
    38
    39   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Give an example.
    40
    MR. MORRIS:  -- around the dehiding area, I do not know, you
    42        have the head, whatever, or ---
    43        A.  Right.
    44
    45   Q.   -- parts of the animal that have been taken off?
    46        A.  OK, they are not actually taken off until after
    47        dehiding.
    48
    49   Q.   Right.  All right, say after the dehiding then, you had a
    50        truck, a barrow, I do not know what you have, full of 
    51        potentially contaminated material, whatever, and if 
    52        somebody wanted to cross the line with that, would 
    53        there -----
    54
    55   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I am sorry, that is hopeless.  You really
    56        must have something in mind if you are questioning him on
    57        this.
    58
    59   MR. MORRIS:  Yes.
    60