Day 114 - 04 Apr 95 - Page 36

     
     1   Q.   Apart from the ---
     2        A.  -- piglets.
     3
     4   Q.   -- diseases and bad hygiene, what are the problems with the
     5        system in terms of welfare?
     6        A.  They are worse than the ones that I have described for
     7        the other systems.  I mean, every time you compromise
     8        health, you compromise welfare, and the pigs are just kept
     9        in uncongenial, hostile, inimical circumstances.
    10
    11   Q.   Do they have sufficient space?
    12        A.  No, they do not have sufficient space, but one aspect
    13         -- it is a pity, really, we could not hold the court going
    14        round a pig farm -- it is your nose that very often tells
    15        you things are wrong.  If there is a high concentration of
    16        ammonia, for instance, because the excreta is fermenting
    17        and generating a lot of ammonia, that is irritant to us if
    18        we go into these houses, but those piglets live with it all
    19        the time.  So, you do not wonder their respiratory systems
    20        get irritated and infected.
    21
    22   Q.   Did the flat deck system provide much in the way of
    23        stimulation or ---
    24        A.  No.
    25
    26   Q.   -- amusement for piglets?
    27        A.  No, the only stimulation they had, really, was to be
    28        aggressive to one another.
    29
    30   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It is nearly five to one.  Let us take stock
    31        a moment.  How much longer do you think you have to go
    32        asking Dr. Long questions in-chief?
    33
    34   MR. MORRIS:  We have about an hour left.  We are sorry it has
    35        taken so long, but it is a very huge subject.
    36
    37   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Have you managed to make any contact with
    38        Mr. Bruton?
    39
    40   MR. MORRIS:  Yes.  He had arranged to come on Thursday.
    41
    42   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Does that mean he cannot come tomorrow?
    43
    44   MS. STEEL:  Yes.
    45
    46   MR. MORRIS:   He did not want to come tomorrow.
    47
    48   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I suppose it does not make difference which
    49        day off there is.  The only point is that if Dr. Long does
    50        not finish this evening, I see no point in coming back 
    51        tomorrow for what may be a short day and then for Thursday 
    52        which may not be a whole day.  If your evidence is not 
    53        completed this afternoon, can you come back on Thursday
    54        morning, Dr. Long?
    55
    56   THE WITNESS:  I think I could, my Lord.  I will have a look at
    57        my diary, if I may -- well, if could I look at it?
    58
    59   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I would like to (and I would like to raise
    60        this at 2 o'clock) because I think we should either