Day 077 - 25 Jan 95 - Page 24

     
     1        was that Mr. Bywaters had told him (and he regards
     2        Mr. Bywaters as a reliable, scientific source of the
     3        information) has informed his own attitude towards animals
     4        and their welfare.
     5
     6   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I am not happy with that.  He is a man who
     7        has been associated with the slaughter of animals for many
     8        years.  He has his own farm.  I would rather hear any
     9        evidence on that basis than what he was told by someone
    10        else.
    11
    12   MR. RAMPTON:  Perhaps I can -----
    13
    14   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It may explain his attitude but he has had
    15        lots of experience of his own since.
    16
    17   MR. RAMPTON:  I will ask the question in a different way and
    18        perhaps then it will become apparent why Mr. Walker
    19        mentioned the Bywaters experiment.  (To the witness):  Have
    20        you had any experience, your own experience, of animals
         seeing other animals being stunned or slaughtered?
    22        A.  Yes.
    23
    24   Q.   In your view, do the animals that are watching that show
    25        signs of distress?
    26        A.  No.
    27
    28   Q.   I think I am right, am I not, Mr. Walker, that as a matter
    29        of law in this country in a slaughterhouse the animal that
    30        is waiting to go into the stunning pen is not permitted to
    31        see what goes on beyond the door of the stunning pen; is
    32        that right?
    33        A.  Correct.
    34
    35   Q.   From what you have just said then, do I understand that you
    36        do not believe that to be a necessary requirement though,
    37        of course, it is a requirement of law?
    38        A.  I do not believe it is a necessary requirement based on
    39        my experience in Australia and other places.
    40
    Q.   Do you keep any animals yourself?
    42        A.  Yes, I do.
    43
    44   Q.   What kind of animals?
    45        A.  Beef animals.
    46
    47   Q.   Where, on a farm?
    48        A.  I have a farm yes.
    49
    50   Q.   How long have you kept those animals for? 
    51        A.  I have had the farm now for two years. 
    52 
    53   Q.   Do you bring your beef animals in during the winter?
    54        A.  Yes.
    55
    56   Q.   Why?
    57        A.  Because of a technical thing called "puddling".  If you
    58        have not an over supply of grass and you leave the cattle
    59        out, they will mud up the grass so badly that come next
    60        spring the grazing is ruined.  But, sir, could I amend what