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''Thus the position is that the general public have little or no confidence in shellfish,
and many are definitely afraid to eat them. To close layings destroys a local industry
yet does not altogether eliminate danger because it is in most cases very difficult, if
not impossible, to prevent unauthorised persons from taking shellfish clandestinely
and disposing of them for human consumption.
"The problem should be dealt with, not by the negative action of closing shellfish
layings, but by the positive action of making shellfish safe as an article of diet, thus
re-establishing public confidence and so resuscitating the shellfish industry.
"The work carried out by Dr. Dodgson at Conway has shown that mussels and
oysters can be efficiently cleansed, and that the process can in time be made to pay
its way. The Public Health (Cleansing of Shellfish) Act, 1932, enables Local
Authorities to provide or contribute towards the provision of means for cleansing shellfish,
but it appears that both private and public enterprise needs some encouragement
to embark on the capital outlay involved in the establishment of cleansing apparatus.
"It is therefore suggested that the necessary encouragement should be given by
the issue of Regulations by the Minister of Health prohibiting the sale for human
consumption of any shellfish which are not certified by a responsible Authority to
have been cleansed at an approved station in this country. Even imported shellfish
would have to be cleansed between their arrival in this country and their distribution.
"The process of cleansing in the case of oysters and mussels would presumably
be washing and relaying in sterile sea-water, as practised at the Conway station.
Cockles and winkles would probably be sterilised by steaming, but in my opinion
even this method should be carried on only in approved stations, either established
and operated by Local Authorities or at least under their close supervision.
"I believe that, though this suggestion may appear to involve very drastic
restrictions on the sale of shellfish, it is the only way in which the public health can be
safeguarded, and at the same time the shellfish industry of this country be saved
from extinction.
"I therefore submit for your consideration the following Resolution:—
"'That, in the opinion of the Association of Port Sanitary
Authorities of the British Isles, the present system of control of shellfish
layings by closure is unsatisfactory as a public health measure and ruinous
to the shellfish industry ; that it has now been proved that shellfish can be
efficiently cleansed by relaying in the case of oysters and mussels and by
steaming in the case of cockles and winkles; that the necessary apparatus
can be established and operated on a self-supporting basis, and that therefore
the time has now arrived when legislation might be introduced with advantage
to both the public health and shellfish industry, requiring that only such
shellfish (whether home-produced or imported) should be sold for human consumption
as are certified by a responsible Authority to have been cleansed
in this country by an approved method in a recognised establishment.'"
The suggestion is still under consideration by the Association of Port Sanitary
Authorities.