Food Standards Agency
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FSA review of Scientific Advisory Committees: call for evidence launched
We are launching an open call for evidence to help review six of our independent Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs). The expert scientific advice given by our SACs helps to ensure that our FSA work is informed by current scientific understanding and analysis of evidence. You can share your views by completing our online survey or attending a workshop on Thursday 29 October 2015.
The six committtees
The six SACs being reviewed are advisory non-Departmental public bodies (NDPBs):
- Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs (ACAF)
- Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF)
- Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP)
- Committee on Toxicity (COT)
- General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS)
- Social Science Research Committee (SSRC)
How to respond
You can share you views by completing a survey by Thursday 5 November 2015 or attending the workshop (see below).
- complete the online survey
- complete the MS Word format version of the survey and email it to the review team at SACs-Review@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk or post a printed version to:
SACs Review Team
Room 1C
Food Standards Agency
Aviation House
125 Kingsway
London WC2B 6NH
The review team will accept responses or material in different forms provided it is relevant to the terms of reference and key lines of enquiry that are set out in the online questionnaire. The review team is unable to respond to individual cases or consider complaints other than as part of the evidence for the review where it falls within the terms of reference.
Survey in Word format
Survey: review of six FSA Scientific Advisory Committees (97.98 KB)
Attend the workshop
Interested external stakeholders are also invited to attend a workshop from 10am to 1pm on Thursday 29 October 2015 to share their views. The workshop will consider all six SACs. The workshop will be held at Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, Holborn, London WC2B 6NH. You can book a place (places are limited and allocated on a first-come first-served basis) by emailing the review team at: SACs-Review@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Why and how will the review be carried out?
The review of the six SACs for which the FSA are sole or lead sponsor, is part of our assurance function to Cabinet Office. This will support our commitment to developing, applying and openly communicating a robust evidence base in our work to protect consumers’ interests in relation to food.
All six of the SACs will be reviewed as a cluster, to ensure:
- the maximum benefit in terms of streamlining the review process
- we identify interactions across other Departments and NDPBs
- efficiency
This will also allow us to consider our needs for the type of function provided by the SACs, to identify any gaps and overlaps in delivery, and consider work in advising the FSA and across other parts of government in the UK.
Our review team will conduct the review in a transparent manner and ensure findings are rigorous and evidence-based, by seeking the views of a wide range of stakeholders. We are interested in the views of individuals and organisations that engage with any or all of the SACs, or have a wider interest in their operations.
More in this section
Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs (ACAF)
ACAF advises on the safety and use of animal feeds and feeding practices, with particular emphasis on protecting human health, and with reference to new technical developments.
Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF)
Set up in 1990, this non-statutory committee provides expert advice to Government on questions relating to microbiological issues and food.
Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP)
The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) is a non-statutory, independent body of scientific experts that advises the Food Standards Agency on any matters relating to novel foods (including genetically modified foods) and novel processes (including food irradiation).
Committee on Toxicity (COT)
The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) is an independent scientific committee that provides advice to the Food Standards Agency, the Department of Health and other Government Departments and Agencies on matters concerning the toxicity of chemicals.
General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS)
The General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS), established in December 2007, provides independent advice on the FSA's governance and use of science.
Social Science Research Committee (SSRC)
The Social Science Research Committee (SSRC) provides advice to the Agency about how it gathers and uses social science evidence.
