Avian Influenza Act

Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 4 of the Fish and Game Code deals with birds. Section 3860 names this chapter the Avian Influenza Wildlife Surveillance Act.

Section 3861 contains five legislative findings and declarations.

Section 3862 requires the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with the department, the Department of Food and Agriculture, the State Department of Public Health, the Office of Emergency Services, and the University of California, to develop and implement a plan for the surveillance, monitoring, sampling, diagnostic testing, and reporting of avian influenza in wild birds and animals in the state.

Section 3863 requires the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to formally establish the Avian Influenza Working Group to assist in the development of the plan. The Avian Influenza Working Group must utilize, as guidance for early detection, the national protocol that has been developed to guide states in developing state-specific plans, known as the Early Detection System for Asian H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Migratory Birds.

The Avian Influenza Working Group is composed of seven specified members. The duties of the Avian Influenza Working Group include three main activities.