Day 109 - 28 Mar 95 - Page 08

     
     1        putting, getting, into the modules, that is of concern.
     2
     3   Q.   Do you have concerns about the way in which the birds are
     4        transported to the slaughter plants?
     5        A.  Yes, because I think there is, as I think it was
     6        discussed before, a central corridor ventilation is
     7        desirable, and I think that Sun Valley does not have that.
     8        I know that it is possibly preferable to cover them in
     9        adverse weather, but at the same time that builds up
    10        tremendous humidity, so that is another problem.
    11
    12        There really is not a very easy and satisfactory way of
    13        transporting poultry.  Once they are loaded, of course,
    14        they are there, that is it.  There is no way that anything
    15        can be done about it except unloading the whole lot, so
    16        they are very inaccessible apart from the very outside back
    17        crates probably, modules.
    18
    19   Q.   So any birds that receive injuries or become ill during the
    20        length of time that they are on the lorry cannot be
         treated?
    22        A.  Not in any way, no.  They are not even visible, mainly.
    23
    24   Q.   I do not know if you could get down Supplementary
    25        bundle 5?  I think it should be at tab 15, but there should
    26        be a number.
    27        A.  Yes.
    28
    29   Q.   Within that there should be a copy of the Farm Animal
    30        Welfare Council, Advice to Ministers on the Handling and
    31        Transport of Poultry; it will be half size?
    32        A.  Yes.
    33
    34   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  What does it look like, just to make sure I
    35        have found it; if you hold it up again for me, please?
    36
    37   MS. STEEL:  If you turn to page 13.
    38
    39   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I do not have it but I see what it is like.
    40        Do you know how far into tab 15 it is?
    41
    42   MS. STEEL:  Mine are not in the same order.  I think it might be
    43        fairly near the front actually, but I am not sure.
    44        A.  That is about half way through, I would say.
    45
    46   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It is not in my 15.
    47
    48   MS. STEEL: If you turn to page 13, the recommendations under 38,
    49        is that what you were referring to?
    50        A.  Yes, it says:  "We recommend that vehicle designers 
    51        give consideration to the practicality of having a vertical 
    52        space down the centre of the load as this would assist 
    53        ventilation in the load."  Also, it is pointing out that
    54        you could inspect more of the birds.
    55
    56   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Which page did you say?
    57
    58   MS. STEEL:  Page 13.  (To the witness):  The section opposite on
    59        "Injured or ill birds", is there anything in there that
    60        you feel is important to mention?