Changes to the Science Advisory Council (SAC) for Defra have been announced to help the department achieve better and more co-ordinated scientific advice.
Following the review of Defra’s Arms Length Bodies last October, and a separate independent review of the SAC, the majority of Defra’s scientific and technical advisory bodies are being reconstituted as expert scientific committees to provide advice on specific areas.
The SAC will be re-modelled based on the recommendations of the independent report. Although it will remain a Non Departmental Public Body, it will have a strengthened role in supporting the Chief Scientific Adviser in the oversight of all Defra expert scientific committees.
Professor Bob Watson, Chief Scientific Adviser for Defra, said:
"The reformed Science Advisory Council will be in a stronger position to provide independent advice to Ministers and to me on the science underpinning a wide range of Defra policies.
"I would like to thank the current SAC members for the valuable contribution they have made to Defra. It is vital that we continue to benefit from the expert independent advice the SAC provides and I look forward to working with the new committee."
The changes include the standing down of the 12 current members of the SAC. 7 new members, with expertise over a broad range of issues for which Defra is responsible, will be recruited over the next few months.