Day 019 - 27 Jul 94 - Page 03

     
     1
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You did, about health risks if certain were
     2        not used, but I suggest we come back to it at the end of
              the day.  I will make it clear or clearer what I am
     3        concerned about.  It may be that you asked all the
              questions you wanted to on that aspect, but let us
     4        continue -- do not let me forget it at the end of the day
               -- let us continue with Dr. Gregory.
     5
         MR. MORRIS:  Just to open up today, do you know the recent
     6        RSPCA freedom food labelling announcement?
              A.  I know of it, yes.
     7
         Q.   Do you know the content?
     8        A.  I am not -- I do not recall all the contents.  I am
              familiar with some of them.
     9
         Q.   We cannot find the actual  details.  Could you give us, to
    10        the best of your knowledge, just what the five main points
              are in the RSPCA labelling of what we call "freedom food"?
         A.  Can I ask you whether you are referring to the
              preamble, that is, the five freedoms which the animals
    12        might be expected to enjoy, in which case those would be
              the five freedoms laid down by the Farm Animal Welfare
    13        Council.  Are they the same ones?
 
    14   Q.   I want you to go through those.
              A.  You do?  The five freedoms which are usually
    15        recognised, and in this case they are recognised by the
              RSPCA, are freedom from malnutrition, under nutrition and
    16        thirst and hunger.  That is the first category.  Freedom
              from pain and injury; entitlement to treatment of disease
    17        and prevention of disease; provision of physical and
              thermal comfort and an ability of the animal or provisions
    18        for the animal to perform normal behavioural functions.
 
    19   Q.   Do you know what you would call the, is it the subtext or
              the elaboration of that?
    20        A.  I cannot quote it off the top of my head.
 
    Q.   It is mainly the development of those five points?
              A.  Yes, in practical terms as to what produces haulers
    22        and slaughter personnel should be aiming to achieve,
              should be trying to direct them in how to achieve those
    23        overall goals.
 
    24   Q.   Those five freedoms that you mentioned, they are freedoms
              within the limitations of the industry; is that correct?
    25        A.  They are ----
  
    26   Q.   Yes.  Sorry? 
              A.  I would say they are not an extremist view; they are a 
    27        blend of welfare requirements for the animal and practical
              considerations as to what can be achieved in commercial
    28        situations.
 
    29   Q.   Right.  Are you saying that the Farm Animal Welfare
              Council adopts those five?
    30        A.  Yes.