The Rise And Decline Of The Ol\)mpia Oyster 



State of Washington, with the co-operation of the oyster 

 growers, adopted its shellfish-sanitary manual. Since its 

 inception no disease has been attributed to the consump- 

 tion of shellfish. It has stood the test of time without 

 change. On September 9, 1 954, another meeting was held 

 in Washington D. C, called by the U. S. Public Health 

 Service, to consider the revision and strengthening of the 

 Sanitary Control system.. Mr. Dave McMillin of the 

 Olympia Oyster Co., representing the Olympia Oyster 

 Growers Association, and Malcolm Edward and myself, 

 representing the Pacific Oyster interests, were in attend- 

 ance at that meeting. The final draft, both of the U. S. 

 Public Health Service Manual and of the State of Wash- 

 ington Manual are now being drafted, with the aid and 

 co-operation of the entire oyster industry. 



MEANING AND EXTENT OF "SANITARY CONTROL 

 PROGRAM." 



Space prevents detailed information on this subject. 

 The fundamental requirements are as follows: 



1. It commences at the grass roots, so to speak. The 

 purity of the water in which the oysters are grown. The 

 State, upon application of a grower, takes samples of the 

 water over the applicant's grounds. If found to be pure, 

 fit for the taking of shellfish for marketing, he is granted 

 a State Certificate. This certificate must be renewed an- 

 nually. 



At the same time it is issued the U. S. Public Health 

 Service is notified; this certificate holder is given a num- 

 ber, which must appear on each container in which 

 oysters from the certified beds are packed. This identifies 



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