Day 102 - 13 Mar 95 - Page 22

     
     1   Q.   Of course, if you have a farm in a bad state of repair then
     2        that is something that is more likely to happen, is it not?
     3        A.  It is possible.
     4
     5   Q.   Do you have a farm at place called Cappers?
     6        A.  Yes, it is not our farm; it is a private grower.
     7
     8   Q.   Is it right that the birds there are kept in a loft?
     9        A.  Yes, it is.
    10
    11   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  How is that spelt?
    12        A.  The farm belongs to a man called
    13        Mr. Capper, C-A-P-P-E-R.
    14
    15   MS. STEEL:  I did not realise that was the name of a person.  Is
    16        that at Lyons Hall?
    17        A.  No.
    18
    19   Q.   That is something else.  So can you just describe the
    20        conditions the birds are kept in there, please?
         A.  The loft is laid out in exactly the same way as a
    22        standard house would be, except that it is obviously a lot
    23        smaller, that it has a wooden floor, otherwise, as far as
    24        I remember, the equipment and so on is standard.
    25
    26   Q.   How would the company carry out cleansing after each ---
    27        A.  The cleaning and ---
    28
    29   Q.   -- flock?
    30        A.  -- disinfection of that particular house is the
    31        responsibility of the owner, Mr. Capper.
    32
    33   Q.   Again, a wooden floor would be more likely to harbour
    34        bacteria, would it not?
    35        A.  It would be more likely than concrete, but can be
    36        cleaned to a higher standard than earth floors.
    37
    38   Q.   Is it correct that the birds, when they are being taken for
    39        slaughter from this farm, are thrown down a tube on to a
    40        table before being placed in the drawers?
         A.  The particular catching and collection on that farm
    42        I have never observed myself, so I am not aware of the
    43        procedure.
    44
    45   Q.   Have you talked to them about their procedure?  Have you
    46        never asked them:  "How on earth do you get your birds down
    47        from there?"
    48        A.  No, I have not been involved in the specific detail of
    49        that farm.
    50 
    51   Q.   You have not asked anyone to make enquiries on your behalf 
    52        about that? 
    53        A.  No, I have not.
    54
    55   Q.   Do you actually take responsibility for checking on
    56        conditions on all the farms or not?
    57        A.  No, I do not have that -- when you say "conditions", we
    58        have a number of area managers, who I have described
    59        before, who are responsible for the day-to-day checking on
    60        the maintenance and the organisation of these farms.  I do