Kellier takes over agriculture for good

Derrick Kellier has been appointed minister of agriculture, labour and social security with immediate effect.

The appointment gives him permanent portfolio responsibility for agriculture and fisheries, which he has been covering since Roger Clarke went on sick leave in July. Clarke died in the United States on August 28.

Kellier, who had juggled his core labour and social security portfolio with agriculture, will now be assisted by Luther Buchanan, who has been assigned minister of state.

Buchanan will retain responsibility for rural development, one of his areas of ministerial duty while he was minister of state in the Office of the Prime Minister.