New lay members appointed to advisory committee on pesticides

Two new lay members were today appointed to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) by Minister for Rural Affairs and Local Environment Quality Alun Michael.

Rosaline Howell, a senior lecturer in environmental and geographical sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University, is appointed as a new lay member for the committee's environment post

Diane McCrea is an independent consultant in food and consumer affairs and is the new lay member for the committee's consumer post.

They replace the previous lay members Sylvia Owen and Elaine Brown who stand down at the end of the year.

The ACP was established under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to advise ministers on all matters relating to the safe and effective control of pests.

Its membership provides a wide range of medical and environmental expertise independent of Government and the agrochemical industry; there are also two lay members.

Announcing the appointments, Alun Michael said: " Sylvia Owen and Elaine Brown have made an invaluable contribution to the work of the committee during their six years of service as the committee's first lay members.

"I am confident that the new members and the rest of the committee will continue their work providing sound scientific advice on all matters relating to the control of pests."

The two new appointments will take effect from January 1 2004 and are for terms of three years. The appointments were made following open competition.

Another member of the committee, Dr Ian Grieve is to be re-appointed for a second term of three years.