Day 098 - 07 Mar 95 - Page 31

     
     1        meat which is going to go for McKeys solely.
     2
     3   Q.   When did they bring that specification in?  Was that after
     4        all the other specifications, like E.coli?
     5        A.  It was around the same time because they were concerned
     6        about the possibility of contamination in that area.
     7
     8   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  This is the tying off the oesophagus at all
     9        or tying it off by the rodding method?
    10        A.  By the rodding method -- well, at all.  We use the
    11        rodding method.
    12
    13   Q.   So if you knew that a carcass was going to go to a
    14        supermarket, for instance, does that mean you would not tie
    15        off the oesophagus?
    16        A.  It is not really a question of not wishing to do it,
    17        sir.  It is when it gets to that point in the chain,
    18        because the carcass is upside-down, any of the contents in
    19        that tract have usually come out anyway.
    20
    Q.   No.  Are you saying because McKeys wanted tying off ---
    22        A.  Specifically wanted.
    23
    24   Q.   -- then you tie off all your -----
    25        A.  Sorry, no, sir.  What I am saying is that because
    26        McKeys wanted tying off, when we slaughter cattle which are
    27        going for McKeys, we tie off the oesophagus.
    28
    29   Q.   Yes, but on every carcass?
    30        A.  Destined for McKeys, sir.
    31
    32   Q.   McKeys want the oesophagus tied off?
    33        A.  Yes, sir.
    34
    35   Q.   On any slaughtered animal from which meat is to be taken to
    36        be supplied to them?
    37        A.  Yes.
    38
    39   Q.   They, in fact, are only going to take forequarters and
    40        flanks?
         A.  Yes.
    42
    43   Q.   I had assumed (though I may be wrong) that you do not
    44        necessarily know as a dead animal comes on to the line
    45        whether part of it is going to McKeys or not, save in so
    46        far as if it is a cow and you may think that is likely that
    47        part of that is going to go to McKeys?
    48        A.  Yes, except that when we -- I believe this is done
    49        around the ordering schedule, sir.  They actually -- sorry,
    50        they actually take meat from us on two specific days of the 
    51        week, so correspondingly we know. 
    52 
    53   Q.   I can help clear my own mind then in relation to this.
    54        Does that mean on the other days of the week, which are not
    55        McKeys days, you do not tie off the oesophagus?
    56        A.  That is correct, sir.
    57
    58   Q.   So unless it might be going to McKeys, you do not tie off
    59        the oesophagus?
    60        A.  That is correct.