Brucellosis Laws in Alabama: What Cattle and Bison Owners Need to Know
September 7, 2026
If you own cattle, bison, or other susceptible livestock in Alabama, understanding the state’s brucellosis regulations is not optional — it is a legal and financial necessity. Brucellosis, also called Bang’s Disease, is a bacterial infection that can devastate herd productivity and, in some cases, spread to humans who work closely with infected animals.
Alabama has worked for decades alongside federal authorities to eliminate this disease, and the state’s regulatory framework reflects that effort. This guide walks you through every major component of Alabama’s brucellosis laws, from the state’s current disease-free status to the consequences of non-compliance.
What Is Brucellosis and Why It Is Regulated in Alabama
Brucellosis, also known as contagious abortion or Bang’s Disease, is a costly disease of livestock and wildlife caused by a group of bacteria in the genus Brucella. The disease has significant consequences for animal health, public health, and international trade, occurring mainly in cattle, bison, and swine but also capable of affecting cervids, goats, sheep, horses, and people.
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that can spread from animals to humans when humans come into contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. Symptoms of Brucella infection may include fever, sweats, loss of appetite, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, and miscarriage in pregnant women.
Occupational exposure is a risk for workers who have close contact with animals or animal excretions, such as newborn animals, fetuses, and excretions that may result from birth. Person-to-person spread of brucellosis is extremely rare.
The livestock and dairy industries and the American consumer have realized great financial savings from the success of the Cooperative State-Federal Brucellosis Eradication Program. Annual losses from lowered milk production, aborted calves and pigs, and reduced breeding efficiency decreased from more than $400 million in 1952 to less than $1 million. Alabama’s regulatory framework exists to protect those gains. If you raise cattle or bison in Alabama, you can also review goat ownership laws in Alabama for related livestock disease requirements that may apply to your operation.
Alabama’s Brucellosis Classification Status
Alabama holds the highest possible disease classification under the federal brucellosis system. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has determined that Alabama meets the criteria for classification as a validated brucellosis-free state. This designation, which became effective in August 1998, remains in place today.
Under 9 CFR § 78.43, Alabama is listed alongside Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, and dozens of other states as a validated brucellosis-free state — the top tier in the federal classification system.
The brucellosis regulations contained in 9 CFR Part 78 provide a system for classifying states or portions of states according to the rate of Brucella abortus infection present and the general effectiveness of a brucellosis control and eradication program. The classifications are Class Free, Class A, Class B, and Class C; states or areas that do not meet the minimum standards for Class C status are required to be placed under federal quarantine.
Restrictions on moving cattle and bison interstate become less stringent as a state or area approaches or achieves Class Free status. Because Alabama holds Class Free status, your cattle and bison benefit from reduced interstate movement testing burdens compared to animals originating from lower-classified states.
All 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are brucellosis-free, except for the occasional spillover of cases occurring in livestock near the Greater Yellowstone Area due to bison and elk having the disease. Alabama is geographically far removed from that risk zone, which supports its continued free status. You can compare how neighboring states manage their own programs by reviewing brucellosis laws in Missouri and brucellosis laws in Nebraska.
Vaccination Requirements in Alabama
Because Alabama holds validated brucellosis-free status, mandatory mass vaccination programs are not actively required across the entire cattle population the way they are in higher-risk states. However, vaccination remains a regulated activity, and the rules governing it are precise.
An “official calfhood vaccinate” is defined under federal regulations as a female cattle or female bison vaccinated while between 4 and 12 months of age by an APHIS representative, state representative, or accredited veterinarian with a reduced-dose approved brucella vaccine containing at least 2.7 billion and not more than 10 billion live cells per 2 mL dose of Brucella abortus Strain 19 vaccine, or at the dosage indicated on the label instructions for other approved brucella vaccines.
An “approved brucella vaccine” means a Brucella product approved by and produced under license of the United States Department of Agriculture for injection into cattle or bison to enhance their resistance to brucellosis.
- Vaccination must be performed by an accredited veterinarian, APHIS representative, or state representative.
- Female calves must be vaccinated between 4 and 12 months of age to qualify as official calfhood vaccinates.
- Only USDA-licensed, approved brucella vaccines may be used.
- Vaccinated animals must be permanently identified with a tattoo and an official vaccination eartag in the right ear.
Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 80-3-1 specifically addresses the calfhood vaccination program under § 80-3-1-.09. The state’s brucellosis eradication program, established under § 80-3-1-.03, sets the framework within which vaccination activities take place. If brucellosis is detected in a herd, vaccination status does not override other regulatory requirements — infected herds face mandatory depopulation and testing protocols regardless of whether animals were previously vaccinated.
Testing Requirements for Cattle and Bison in Alabama
Testing requirements in Alabama apply primarily when cattle or bison change ownership, are imported into the state, or are part of a herd under investigation. The Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 80-3-1 dedicates specific sections to these obligations, including § 80-3-1-.04 (obligations of owners in testing programs), § 80-3-1-.08 (conditions requiring herd testing), and § 80-3-1-.10 (testing of cattle that change ownership).
For animals entering Alabama from other states, the testing rules depend on the origin state’s classification and the purpose of the animals:
| Animal Category | Testing Requirement for Alabama Entry |
|---|---|
| Dairy and breeding cattle (bulls or females over 18 months) from Class A or B states | Negative official brucellosis test within 30 days of entry |
| Bulls or females under 18 months of age | No brucellosis test required |
| Feeder steers and spayed heifers | No brucellosis test required; Certificate of Veterinary Inspection required |
| Cattle for immediate slaughter | No test required if consigned directly to approved slaughter facility |
| Cattle from Wyoming | Negative test within 30 days of shipment; quarantine and retest 120 days after importation |
| Cervidae (deer, elk, caribou, moose, reindeer) 6 months or older | Negative brucellosis test within 30 days of entry |
| Camels 6 months or older (except castrated males) | Negative brucellosis test within 30 days of entry |
Cattle for dairy and breeding purposes may enter Alabama accompanied by an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and officially identified by ear tag, provided they are bulls or females over 18 months of age that originate from herds not under quarantine in a Class A or B state and are negative to an official test for brucellosis within 30 days of entry, or are bulls or females under 18 months of age.
Alabama will not accept animals from brucellosis infected, exposed, or quarantined herds, regardless of their vaccination status. This is one of the most important rules to understand as a buyer or importer — vaccination does not override herd quarantine status.
Cattle and bison 18 months of age or older shall be identified using an approved method of official identification when moved within or imported into Alabama. All cervidae six months of age or older must have a negative brucellosis test within 30 days of entry.
For herd-level surveillance, the rule changes the age at which cattle and domestic bison are included in herd blood tests from 6 months to 18 months of age for all sexually intact cattle and domestic bison, except when conducting herd blood tests as part of affected herd investigations or other epidemiological investigations.
For more context on how a neighboring state structures its testing program, see brucellosis laws in Michigan or brucellosis laws in Minnesota.
Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules in Alabama
Movement of cattle and bison — whether crossing state lines or moving within Alabama — is one of the most heavily regulated aspects of brucellosis law. The rules differ depending on the direction of movement, the purpose of the animals, and the origin state’s classification.
Importing Cattle Into Alabama
All cattle must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection when entering Alabama. Beyond that baseline, brucellosis-specific requirements layer on top depending on the animal’s age, sex, and intended use.
Feeder steers and spayed heifers may be imported without brucellosis tests but shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection in accordance with all other regulations.
Cattle for immediate slaughter may enter Alabama without a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or negative test for brucellosis if they are consigned to a recognized slaughter center where federal or state meat inspection is maintained, and shall be considered under quarantine until slaughtered. Such animals shall not be diverted without an official permit from the State Veterinarian of Alabama.
Special Rules for Wyoming-Origin Cattle
Wyoming presents a unique situation because of its proximity to the Greater Yellowstone Area, where brucellosis exists in free-ranging wildlife. No cattle may enter Alabama from the State of Wyoming unless such cattle has had a negative brucellosis test within 30 days of shipment to Alabama of bulls and female cattle. Cattle from Wyoming shall also be quarantined and a negative brucellosis retest required 120 days after importation into Alabama.
Intrastate Movement
Within Alabama, movement rules are governed by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) under the authority of Code of Alabama § 2-15-170. Key intrastate movement requirements include:
- Official identification (approved ear tag or other approved method) is required for all cattle and bison 18 months of age or older when moved within the state.
- Cattle that change ownership within Alabama are subject to brucellosis testing requirements under § 80-3-1-.10 of the Alabama Administrative Code.
- Animals under quarantine may not be moved without an official permit from the State Veterinarian.
- Transportation of livestock within or from quarantined districts is governed by § 2-15-154 of the Code of Alabama.
All brucellosis tests of animals which are intended for interstate movement shall be conducted in laboratories approved by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and approved by the state of origin.
For a broader view of how livestock movement rules vary across state lines, the brucellosis laws in Nevada page offers a useful regional comparison. Alabama livestock owners may also find relevant context in the United States laws on exotic pets resource, which covers interstate movement rules for non-traditional species including cervidae.
Reporting and Quarantine Requirements in Alabama
Alabama law places affirmative obligations on livestock owners, veterinarians, and handlers to report suspected brucellosis and cooperate with quarantine orders. These requirements exist under both Article 7 (Control of Contagious and Infectious Diseases Generally) and Article 8 (Control of Brucellosis or Bang’s Disease) of Title 2, Chapter 15 of the Code of Alabama.
Reporting Obligations
If you suspect brucellosis in your herd, you are required to notify the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. Accredited veterinarians who identify or suspect brucellosis during testing or examination are similarly obligated to report findings to the State Veterinarian. The Alabama Department of Public Health also tracks brucellosis as a reportable disease in humans under its communicable disease surveillance program.
Current APHIS Veterinary Services disease eradication programs include cooperative State-Federal efforts directed at cattle and swine brucellosis. Federal and state animal health officials jointly conduct surveillance for bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis. When infected animals are identified, officials investigate these cases to determine if additional animals or herds of animals are infected.
Quarantine Authority and Procedures
Section 2-15-153 of the Code of Alabama governs the quarantining of lots, towns, cities, and other areas where livestock infected with contagious, infectious, or communicable diseases are found, including the issuance and service of notice of establishment of quarantine upon owners of livestock and agents of railroads, trucks, and other transport.
Once a quarantine is issued, the following obligations apply to the affected owner:
- Upon receipt of notice from the State Veterinarian, you must clean and disinfect quarantined livestock or the premises as directed under § 2-15-156.
- Vehicles used in transporting animals must be cleaned and disinfected under § 2-15-157.
- Animals under quarantine may not be moved or sold without an official permit from the State Veterinarian of Alabama.
- Permitting livestock to run at large in a quarantined district is prohibited under § 2-15-159.
The Commissioner is authorized to destroy animals or materials affected by or exposed to disease and indemnify owners thereof under § 2-15-160. Diseased animals must be appraised prior to slaughter under § 2-15-161.
Indemnification for Depopulated Herds
Alabama law provides a pathway for owners whose animals are destroyed as part of the brucellosis eradication program to receive indemnification. Alabama Administrative Code § 80-3-1-.06 covers indemnification for cattle, and § 80-3-1-.07 addresses additional requirements for indemnification. Section 2-15-2 of the Code of Alabama governs payment of indemnification to owners of cattle slaughtered under the program for eradication of tuberculosis, paratuberculosis, or Bang’s Disease. Owners must cooperate fully with the testing, appraisal, and depopulation process to qualify for indemnification payments.
Penalties for Brucellosis Violations in Alabama
Alabama takes brucellosis compliance seriously, and the penalty framework reflects that. Violations can result in civil fines, criminal misdemeanor charges, forced quarantine at the owner’s expense, and loss of indemnification rights. Multiple sections of Title 2, Chapter 15 of the Code of Alabama address penalties for livestock disease violations.
Statutory Penalty Framework
Section 2-15-174 of the Code of Alabama establishes the penalty for violations of Article 7 or rules or regulations of the Department or Commissioner relating to control of contagious and infectious diseases. For brucellosis-specific violations under Article 8, the provisions of that article operate as cumulative authority alongside other applicable laws.
The provisions of Article 8 are cumulative or supplemental to other laws or parts of laws enacted for the control and eradication of diseases of livestock. This means that a single violation can trigger penalties under multiple statutory provisions simultaneously.
Specific Violations and Consequences
| Violation Type | Regulatory Consequence |
|---|---|
| Moving animals from a quarantined herd without a permit | Criminal penalty under § 2-15-154; quarantine enforced at owner’s expense |
| Importing cattle from a brucellosis-infected, exposed, or quarantined herd | Refusal of entry; mandatory quarantine; potential depopulation |
| Failure to test animals as required before interstate movement | Animals held in quarantine; fines under § 2-15-174 |
| Diverting slaughter-bound animals without State Veterinarian permit | Violation of § 2-15-153 and ADAI administrative rules; criminal liability |
| Failure to clean and disinfect quarantined premises as ordered | Enforcement action under § 2-15-156; costs imposed on owner |
| Allowing livestock to run at large in a quarantined district | Violation of § 2-15-159; potential criminal misdemeanor charge |
Quarantine costs are borne entirely by the animal owner. Animals that arrive in violation of import rules may be placed in strict quarantine at the owner’s risk and expense until a state or federal inspector determines what shall be done with them.
Federal Penalties
Because brucellosis is also regulated at the federal level under 9 CFR Part 78, violations involving interstate movement can trigger federal enforcement by APHIS in addition to state penalties. Disease control and eradication measures include quarantines to stop the movement of possibly infected or exposed animals, testing and examination to detect infection, destruction of infected or sometimes exposed animals to prevent further disease spread, and cleaning and disinfection of contaminated premises. Federal violations can carry substantial fines and may affect your ability to participate in federal indemnification programs.
Alabama’s broader animal law framework reinforces the importance of regulatory compliance for all livestock and pet owners. For related state-specific regulations, you can explore dog leash laws in Alabama, backyard chicken laws in Alabama, and beekeeping laws in Alabama for a fuller picture of how Alabama regulates animal ownership and husbandry across species. Livestock operators who keep multiple species may also want to review pit bull laws in Alabama and rooster laws in Alabama for additional context on the state’s animal regulatory environment.
Key Takeaways for Alabama Livestock Owners
Alabama’s brucellosis laws are designed to protect a hard-won disease-free status that benefits every cattle and bison producer in the state. The core obligations are straightforward: test animals when required, obtain proper documentation before moving livestock, never accept animals from infected or quarantined herds, and report suspected cases immediately.
If your operation involves interstate movement, always confirm the origin state’s brucellosis classification and ensure all required testing is completed at an APHIS-approved laboratory before transport. For Wyoming-origin cattle specifically, plan for the mandatory 120-day post-importation quarantine and retest requirement.
For the most current requirements, contact the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Animal Industries Division, or the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services office serving Alabama. Regulations can be updated, and relying on current official guidance is always the safest approach for your operation. You may also find it useful to review kennel zoning laws in Alabama and leash laws in Alabama if your property hosts multiple animal species alongside your livestock operation.