Day 114 - 04 Apr 95 - Page 10

     
     1   MR. MORRIS:  That is the way you see in terms of the number of
     2        slaughterhouses?
     3        A.  It is a problem.
     4
     5   Q.   And it is a problem.  In fact, in paragraph 12 it goes into
     6        a problem which you have already identified?
     7        A.  Yes.
     8
     9   Q.   I will move on.  On point 16 on page 7, the top of page 7,
    10        it says:  "Throughout our report we have made frequent
    11        references to situations where, though existing welfare
    12        legislation is considered to be adequate, enforcement is
    13        not".  Do you share that view?
    14        A.  Yes.  The authority, of course, has just passed into
    15        the government now with the New Hygiene -- Meat and Hygiene
    16        Service.
    17
    18   Q.   It says, the next sentence:  "We consider that in many
    19        cases local authorities have not taking their
    20        responsibilities seriously enough".  What is your view on
         that?
    22        A.  Yes.  They do not take their responsibilities seriously
    23        enough -- or they did not.
    24
    25   Q.   Is that in terms of enforcing welfare legislation?
    26        A.  They were very variable.
    27
    28   Q.   Has that continued or has that improved?
    29        A.  That has been taken over now from 1st April by the New
    30        Meat and Hygiene Service.
    31
    32   Q.   But in the last 10 years has that enforcement got better or
    33        worse or stayed the same?
    34        A.  It has remained variable, spotty, sort of Pope in every
    35        parish situation because local authorities vary in their
    36        responsibilities.
    37
    38   Q.   On page 8, point 22, in the middle of that paragraph, the
    39        sentence starting:  "It is inevitable that transportation
    40        to a slaughterhouse, often involving long journeys with
         deprivation of food and water, temporary housing in a
    42        strange environment and subsequent handling and restraining
    43        prior to slaughter will impose considerable stress on all
    44        animals."   Is that your view as well?
    45        A.  That is my observation too.
    46
    47   Q.   There is an interesting point at point 23 at the bottom of
    48        that page:  "In many cases in the course of visits to
    49        slaughterhouses it was evident that welfare problems arise
    50        when there are inherent faults in the basic design of the 
    51        premises.  It was of considerable concern that such faults 
    52        were often to be found in modern, purpose-built premises 
    53        and it seemed evident that insufficient care had been taken
    54        at the design and planning stage".  It talks about hold ups
    55        in the line because of bad design and stressful delays and
    56        various other matters which you have mentioned.
    57
    58        Then it says:  "Often little account appeared to have been
    59        taken of the welfare needs and behaviour of the animal and
    60        of the need for an acceptable working environment for the