Day 109 - 28 Mar 95 - Page 27

     
     1   MR. MORRIS:  All right then, rather than going through them, you
     2        have given your evidence already and the court can draw its
     3        own conclusions, but in terms of those freedoms, all of
     4        them, and in terms of birds which we have been looking at
     5        the conditions of, would you say that the birds supplied to
     6        McDonald's achieve those freedoms?
     7        A.  The broiler chickens, no.  I do not think that any of
     8        them are appropriate for these requirements.  I do not
     9        think they are met within the broiler system as a whole or
    10        the battery system.
    11
    12   Q.   I think, to save time, I will not go into detail. I think
    13        we have nearly finished now.
    14
    15   MS. STEEL:  McDonald's state that they insist that animals used
    16        in its products are reared in a clean, safe, hygienic and
    17        comfortable environment and that humane methods of killing
    18        are used.  Would you describe the boiler systems as clean?
    19        A.  No, and Dr. Martin Skirrow, I think -- did I say this
    20        yesterday -- of, oh, which hospital is it, he is a
         well-known doctor somewhere in the West, he described the
    22        broiler shed as the perfect breeding ground for
    23        campylobacter, in particular, the bacteria in general, and
    24        I think this is generally accepted.  It is ......
    25
    26   Q.   That is your view as well?
    27        A.  This is certainly my view, yes.
    28
    29   Q.   Would you describe the broiler system as safe for the
    30        chickens?
    31        A.  No, because of the vast numbers of birds involved, even
    32        in the smallest boiler shed, the individual bird cannot be
    33        protected, the welfare of the individual bird cannot be
    34        protected.
    35
    36   Q.   Would you describe the broiler shed as comfortable?
    37        A.  There is a variation in its comfort.  On the whole, it
    38        is very often far too hot.  Heat stress, even not leading
    39        to death, is very common.  Birds are commonly panting.  The
    40        environment/index.html">litter condition, of course, is either relatively
         comfortable or very uncomfortable.  Birds of that age would
    42        perch, if they were able to, so that is a deprivation.  No,
    43        I would not describe it as "comfortable". Young birds in
    44        good environment/index.html">litter could be comfortable, clearly.
    45
    46   Q.   McDonald's also say that Sun Valley complies with the
    47        strict EC legislation regarding poultry rearing?
    48        A.  There is none, so that would be difficult.
    49
    50   Q.   Right. Would you say that a company that ignored the Codes 
    51        of Practice regarding minimum lighting levels, maximum 
    52        stocking densities, the recommendation for either stun 
    53        killing or cutting both carotids and not having a visible,
    54        readily accessible ammeter on the stunning equipment could
    55        be said to have high standards of animal welfare, or the
    56        highest standards of animal welfare?
    57        A.  No, I would I think it all suggested that they were
    58        putting through-put and economics ahead of animal welfare.
    59
    60   MS. STEEL:  Thank you.  No further questions.