MHS Audit report

Report on the Review ofScientific CommitteesReport on the Review of Scientific CommitteesContentsParagraph(s)Executive SummaryIntroduction 1-17• the Food Standards Agency 1-5• background to the Review 6-7• the Review Group 8-9• scientific advisory committees which are covered by the Review 10-12• existing guidance and recommendations 13-15The May Review 14Report of the BSE Inquiry 15• format of the report 16-17(a) The Agency’s responsibilities – establishing and supportingthe Committees 18-60• role of the Secretariat 18-26• appointment of committee members 27-36• training and support for members 37-42• monitoring the scope and performance of committees 43-45• cross-membership of committees 46-50• remuneration of members 51-53• indemnities 54-56• devolution and international issues 57-60(b) The committees’ responsibilities – conduct of committee business 61-98• openness 61-70• setting agendas/work programmes 71-73• communicating the committee’s conclusions 74-78• handling conflicts of interest 79-85• data that has not been peer-reviewed 86-87• role of the chair and members 88-93• specialist members 94-95• attendance at meetings 96-98(c) Seeking and using the committees’ advice 99-108• uncertainty 100-101• relationship between the Committees, executive and the board 102-103• responsibilities for risk assessment/risk management 104-106• research 107-108Summary of Conclusions/Findings 109-112Page(s)Annex 1: List of those who ...