Day 102 - 13 Mar 95 - Page 13

     
     1        transported for slaughter.  They should be humanely culled
     2        on the farm.
     3
     4   Q.   It then says:  "It will take approximately five to six
     5        hours to clear a shed of approximately 20,000 birds"; is
     6        that about right or not?
     7        A.  Yes.
     8
     9   Q.   Then it says:  "Approximately 18 to 30 birds will be loaded
    10        in a drawer, nevertheless, than", something, "depending on
    11        weight"; is that right?
    12        A.  That is correct.
    13
    14   Q.   Then he says:  "It was regular for heads to get trapped.
    15        Each truck between" -- sorry, I will stop there.  Is it
    16        regular for heads to get trapped?
    17        A.  Not in my experience and, again, if it is happening, it
    18        is happening contrary to company instructions.
    19
    20   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  The way the catchers shuffled the drawer, as
         it were, in order to move the birds to the back of it,
    22        partially closing it and then opening it; is that what
    23        happens?
    24        A.  Yes, that is normal practice.
    25
    26   MR. RAMPTON:  In addition to the sentence about that ensuring
    27        birds are not trapped in the module at the bottom of page
    28        4.2 (which is 59 in the file), can you turn over please to
    29        page 4.6 which is 63, I think?  Item 12, this is a
    30        foreman's procedure, item 12:  "Bird trappings.  The
    31        foreman is responsible for ensuring that the forklift
    32        drivers check modules for birds trapped in modules.  Any
    33        birds trapped in module contravenes the Bird Welfare Act
    34        and will result in loss of bonus of foreman and fork lift
    35        drivers and severe disciplinary action".  Dr. Pattison, is
    36        that just hot air?
    37        A.  No, it is not, and where examples of that have occurred
    38        the individuals have been severely disciplined.
    39
    40   Q.   Then please turn back a page to page 62, 4.5, again it is
         the foreman's task analysis.  6a:  "Team Briefing:  Brief
    42        your team which house to catch and number of birds per
    43        crate to be loaded.  Ensure all catchers are wearing bump
    44        hats, dust masks and have been made aware of any site
    45        hazards.  Ensure your team dips their boots before entering
    46        shed."  Right-hand column:  "Incorrect loading numbers
    47        cause problems to factory, bird welfare and lorry
    48        weights".  Is the reference to bird welfare there simply,
    49        as it were, a palliate to the public.....
    50        A.  I do not believe it is.  It is sincerely meant. 
    51 
    52   Q.   Then it says under 7:  "Assist forklift driver unload 
    53        forklift and instruct him which doors to use.  Place first
    54        module so that birds are not pushed or crowded".  How would
    55        it happen that if you did this wrongly the birds would be
    56        pushed or crowded?
    57        A.  It is very important that the modules are placed in the
    58        houses so that the birds are given sufficient time to move
    59        out of the way, and not to pile on top of each other
    60        because that could result in a smother.