Legislative declaration as to serious nature of avian influenza; penalty for violation of laws regarding prevention, etc., of avian influenza.

(a) The Legislature has ascertained and found and hereby declares that the disease avian influenza is a serious transmissible disease of all birds, for which there is no known cure, and that this disease has been diagnosed in several states of the United States. Any outbreak of this disease in Alabama could seriously jeopardize the entire poultry industry in Alabama.

(b) Any person knowingly or wantonly violating any laws or regulations duly promulgated by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries which were enacted for the prevention or eradication of the disease avian influenza shall be guilty of a Class C felony.

(Acts 1984, No. 84-283, p. 490.)