Day 089 - 15 Feb 95 - Page 06

     
     1        A.  It has some very large customers who are major -- the
     2        quality supermarkets in this country.
     3
     4   Q.   Do they account for all or nearly all of the remaining
     5        four-fifths?
     6        A.  They would account, the big ones would account probably
     7        for 80 per cent of the remainder and then there is a small
     8        number, or a large number of smaller customers who would
     9        account for the remainder.
    10
    11   Q.   Do you take your responsibilities for animal welfare at Sun
    12        Valley seriously?  Do you care about the state of the birds
    13        and how they are treated?
    14        A.  I do care a lot and I regard it as part of my job to
    15        visit facilities, to visit farms, and if anything is
    16        unsatisfactory it is part of my job to ensure that the
    17        management rectify any problems.
    18
    19   Q.   Therefore, you make observations, you find a problem, a
    20        welfare problem, and you will then make a suggestion for an
         alteration or an amendment; is that right?
    22        A.  That is right, but it is a bit more than a suggestion.
    23        Because of my position in the Company, I do have ultimate
    24        authority and responsibility for that area, so I can make
    25        management at whatever level aware of what is necessary and
    26        it can be dealt with.
    27
    28   Q.   What I was going to ask you is this:  Some rectifications
    29        and improvements cost money, do they not?
    30        A.  They will do.  Very often they do and I have never
    31        found any resistance to spending money if there is a
    32        genuine concern.
    33
    34   Q.   If you are genuinely concerned, then the management will
    35        not stand in your way, is that it?
    36        A.  That is it.
    37
    38   Q.   Are you familiar with the so-called Five Freedoms which
    39        have been expressed, I think, in varying terms by such
    40        bodies as the FAWC and the RSPCA?
         A.  Yes, I am aware of those and, certainly, they are a
    42        broad way of describing animals' requirements.
    43
    44   Q.   We will have a look at them in a moment, Dr. Pattison.  Can
    45        I ask you this:  Are you aware of the RSPCA's Freedom Food
    46        codes?
    47        A.  Yes, I am.
    48
    49   Q.   Is there one at present which applies to broiler chickens
    50        or not? 
    51        A.  No, there is not. 
    52 
    53   Q.   Do you know whether there is one in the pipeline?
    54        A.  I have heard that there may be, but I have no idea when
    55        it might be published.
    56
    57   Q.   I am afraid you will have to do quite a bit foot work
    58        during the course of your evidence -- I mean that
    59        literally, not metaphorically -- could you go to those
    60        shelves behind you and look for a kingfisher blue file?  It