Day 108 - 27 Mar 95 - Page 06

     
     1        of Commons' First Report next and then "Through Our Eyes
     2        Only" last.
     3
     4   MS. STEEL:  I have actually got a set of the documents that were
     5        handed up this morning for the witness box.  They are not
     6        marked but -----
     7
     8   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  No, very well.
     9
    10   MS. STEEL:  -- it might make things easier.  (Handed)   That is
    11        the certificate that you were awarded at the time; is that
    12        correct?
    13        A.  Yes, that is correct.
    14
    15   Q.   Does the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
    16        consult your organisation when they are considering
    17        legislative changes or changes in the codes for farm animal
    18        welfare?
    19        A.  Yes, we often receive letters for our input when things
    20        are going to be reviewed or changed or introduced, yes.
    21
    22   Q.   Do you make any input?
    23        A.  Quite often, yes.  Quite often, they come quite thick
    24        and fast, but we do when we think it is particularly
    25        relevant to what we know about it.
    26
    27   Q.   Were you consulted by the Farm Animal Welfare Council when
    28        it drew up recommendations concerning broiler welfare?
    29        A.  Yes, we put in quite a lot of our findings and our
    30        concerns were expressed before they -- well, just at the
    31        beginning of their investigation, yes.
    32
    33   Q.   They asked you for your opinions?
    34        A.  Yes.
    35
    36   Q.   Right.  Were you invited to the Farm Animal Welfare
    37        Council's prepublication briefing meeting prior to the
    38        Council's broiler report?
    39        A.  Yes.
    40
    Q.   Was that the organisation that was invited or you
    42        personally?
    43        A.  Well, I, the organisation -- a representative was
    44        invited and I attended.
    45
    46   Q.   Right.  What other welfare organisations were present at
    47        that ------
    48        A.  There were just four presented.  It was the RSPCA,
    49        Compassion in World Farming, the Scottish equivalent to the
    50        RSPCA, SSPCA, and ourselves for the welfare. 
    51 
    52   Q.   So, in all there would have been four people, one of whom 
    53        was yourself, to represent the welfare organisations?
    54        A.  Yes.
    55
    56   Q.   Have you also been invited to speak at -- I believe there
    57        was a meeting in Norfolk, perhaps you would like to
    58        explain?
    59        A.  Yes, I was invited to speak to the Norfolk Poultry
    60        Discussion Group last -- about a year ago exactly, in which