Referendum and assessments declared to be in public interest.

It is hereby further declared to be in the public interest and highly advantageous to the economy of the state that catfish producers be permitted by referendum as provided in this article to levy upon themselves an assessment and to provide for the collection thereof for the financing or contributing toward the financing of a program of research, education, advertising and other methods designed to increase or promote the efficient and economical production, distribution and marketing as well as the increased use, consumption and sale of catfish and catfish products.

(Acts 1987, No. 87-587, p. 961, §3.)