Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to publish the Animal Welfare Bill; if he will indicate the present membership of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council; the number of meetings this council has held since 2002 to date in 2009; the budget available to this council for each year since 2002 to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41352/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Drafting of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which gives effect to commitments in the area of animal health and welfare contained in the Programme for Government and the renewed Programme for Government is continuing in my Department. Membership of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) comprises representatives from my Department and from the following organisations: Committee for Irish Livestock, Dealers, Exporters, Hauliers and Shippers Compassion in World Farming Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland ICMSA ICOS IFA Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, UCD Teagasc Veterinary Ireland Wexford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals A total of 36 meetings have been held by FAWAC since its inauguration in 2002 and the budget available to the Council since that time is as follows: Year Amount 2003 €55,000 2004 €80,000 2005 €100,000 2006 €100,000 2007 €120,000 2008 €120,000 2009 €125,000