Mr. Brendan Smith T.D. Minister of State, was given special responsibility for Food and Horticulture and additional responsibilities for the following work areas:
•Development of the Food Industry
•Monitoring of the Food Industry under the National Development Plan
•Local Slaughter Houses
•Livestock Breeding
•Horticulture/Plant Health/Organic Production / Animal Feedingstuffs
•Early Retirement Scheme.
Statutory Instrument S.I. No. 779 of 2004 setting out the powers and duties delegated by me to Minister Smith was signed by the Taoiseach on 23 November 2004.
Ms Mary Wallace T.D. Minister of State was given special responsibility for Forestry, Animal Health and Welfare and Customer Care. A draft order delegating statutory powers and duties in relation to the following areas will be shortly presented by me to the Government:
•Animal Health and Welfare
•Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Programme
•Brucellosis Eradication Programme
•Bovine Tagging and Registration
•National Beef Assurance Scheme
•Forestry.