Day 279 - 12 Jul 96 - Page 11

     
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     2   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes.
     3
     4   MS. STEEL:  And his quote where he says, "We are allowing dirty
     5        heads to get through and a quarter of these heads are
     6        contaminated approved heads."  I do not actually know
     7        whether that is a Monfort inspector, that one.  I am not
     8        sure about that.  I mean, that is, well, it is about the
     9        other streamline plants, though I don't know whether that
    10        is about Monfort or not, it is about the system in
    11        general.  That is what a USDA supervisory officer is saying
    12        about the streamlined system in general.  The next part
    13        that I think refers to -- well, actually, I am not sure
    14        about this bit.  On page 74 under "Facing the Risks" there
    15        is a thing saying that "under the streamlining system
    16        federal inspectors like Steve Cockerman, who was referred
    17        to earlier, examined only three out of every 2,000
    18        carcasses for contamination".
    19
    20   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I have not found that yet.
    21
    22   MS. STEEL:  It is on page 74.
    23
    24   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Page 74?
    25
    26   MS. STEEL:  Yes.
    27
    28   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  So there is nothing on page 39?
    29
    30   MS. STEEL:  I do not think there is any quotes.  No, well, not
    31        from anybody who works at Monfort.  Well, there is
    32        actually, come to think of it.  In the first column there
    33        is something but I do not know whether it is particularly
    34        important.  "I have seen the slaughter floor superintendent
    35        jump up and down, turn red in the face", and so on,
    36        "screaming profanities at USDA inspectors."  I don't know
    37        whether that particularly -- that is another Monfort
    38        worker.  You have got the part on page 74?
    39
    40   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  No, I would like you to--
    41
    42   MS. STEEL:  Under "Facing the Risks" in the right hand column:
    43         "Under the streamlining system federal inspectors like
    44        Steve Cockerman examine only three out of every 2,000
    45        carcasses for contamination" and that government -- oh,
    46        well, he was not at the government laboratory.  That is
    47        basically it from the article.  I mean, I do not know
    48        whether you want me to deal with the statement?
    49
    50   MR. JUSTICE BELL: Well, I think you should because I do not mind
    51        saying to you that I want to hear your argument, because at
    52        the moment it does seem to be covered.  Just to help you
    53        get going, I think we can forget any other statutory
    54        provisions; if it is admissible at all it is admissible by
    55        the provisions of this Act.  And then so we look at 2.1,
    56        which is the route it is suggested it is admissible by, but
    57        then we have got to consider rule 3, or rather section
    58        2(3).
    59
    60   MS. STEEL:  I do not have the rule but I do remember clearly