Day 020 - 28 Jul 94 - Page 05

     
     1   Q.   I think you say 13.5 per cent of the birds were receiving
              prestun shock.
     2        A.  Yes.
 
     3   Q.   If an entry ramp had been in place, would that mean that
              far fewer birds would receive prestun shocks?
     4        A.  Not with this descend in the overhead line.
 
     5   Q.   But that was something they changed, was it?
              A.  I do not recall whether the line, during February, had
     6        a drop in the overhead line at the corresponding position.
 
     7   Q.   But it was something they could have changed following
              your recommendation?
     8        A.  You would have to ask them that question.
 
     9   Q.   Presumably you would not make recommendations that were
              impossible to put in place?
    10        A.  Whether it is impossible I cannot comment.  It is
              difficult for me to comment on that question, because they
         were the people doing the fabrication and had delayed the
              order with the manufacturer for the fabrication.  So I am
    12        not in a position to answer that question.
 
    13   Q.   But in your view, it would be possible to put in a ramp?
              A.  If there was facility in the contract to change the
    14        design specification of the line, the answer would be yes,
              but I did not see the contract of construction so I do not
    15        know.
 
    16   Q.   Right. If it was something that they felt was important
              enough, presumably they could have done something about
    17        it?
 
    18   MR. RAMPTON:  My Lord, this witness cannot answer that.
 
    19   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I think it is better to ask Dr. Pattison.  I
              can see the drift of your questioning.  I very much doubt
    20        this witness can answer that question. I suppose
              ultimately you can break your contract, pay a lot of
         damages maybe, and start again.  You will probably get
              more information about it from Dr. Pattison as to what the
    22        situation was.
 
    23   MS. STEEL:  Right.  So did Sun Valley poultry not call you in
              to make recommendations until after they had already
    24        started making the changes?
              A.  That is correct.
    25
         Q.   Do you know why that was? 
    26        A.  They were making the changes for other reasons than 
              improving the welfare of stunning. 
    27
         Q.   Perhaps we should turn to tab H, page 316. This is the
    28        codes of practice for the Welfare of Poultry at Slaughter
              from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. At
    29        number 24 it says, does it not: "Faults leading to birds
              receiving pre-stun shocks are unacceptable and must be
    30        corrected."
              A.  Yes.