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SECTION XIV
PUBLIC HEALTH (SHELLFISH) REGULATIONS, 1934
The Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations, 1934, confer powers on a local authority whereby
on receipt of a report of their Medical Officer of Health that the consumption of shellfish taken
from a laying is likely to cause danger to public health, they may make an Order prohibiting the
distribution for sale for human consumption of shellfish taken from the laying either absolutely or
subject to such exceptions and conditions as they think proper, having regard to the interests of
the Public Health.
Two such Orders have been made. The first in 1936, covering the public and private layings
bordering the part of the foreshore of the Estuary of the River Thames between Canvey Island and
Shoeburyness; and the second, in 1957, covering the foreshore or waters bordering that part of
the Estuary of the River Thames or any tributary thereof, between Garrison Point, Sheerness, and
Warden Point in the Isle of Sheppey.
Export of Portuguese Oysters from River Roach
The adverse effects of the severe winter of 1962/63 were mentioned in the Annual Report for
1963. As a result of that winter, the severity of which was felt over most of Europe, the oyster
layings in the River Roach and adjacent creeks were at a stand-still for many months. Indeed the
trade in Native oysters has still not recovered.
The trade in Portuguese oysters has however received an unexpected boost by the establishment
of an import — re-export trade. The River Roach and Barling Hall Creek have proved to be
suitable areas for "fattening" Portuguese oysters. Thus, during the spring of 1964 some 500,000
Portuguese oysters (Ostrea Angulata) were imported for fattening from Coimbra area of Portugal,
were laid in suitable beds in the area and were eventually re-exported "ready for the table" to
France.
This has entailed co-operation between the Oyster Company concerned, the Public Health
Laboratory Service, the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (Marine Laboratories), and
the Port Health Authority.
Although the River Roach is not a "prescribed area" and there has never been any restrictions
on its oyster beds there is always the possibility of faecal contamination. It therefore was decided
as a safety measure that all oysters should be passed through a Cleansing Station. The procedure
enabled the Medical Officer of Health to sign a Certificate of Purity which was asked for by the
French Authorities.
The Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food Marine Laboratories provided technical advice,
and some existing tanks were adapted as a Cleansing Station. Samples of oysters which had been
cleansed in this station were drawn at regular intervals from August onwards and examined at the
Public Health Laboratory at Chelmsford.
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