Health Scientific Committees

Brussels, 12 December 2000

Renewal of Scientific Committees completed

The process to renew the mandate of the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) and the eight specialised scientific committees advising the European Commission on issues related to consumer safety and public health has been completed with the nomination of the chairman at the SSC meeting last Friday. Prof. Gérard Pascal will continue to chair the SSC, with Prof. Albert Osterhaus and Vittorio Silano as co-chairs. A total of 151 independent scientists have been appointed members of the specialised scientific committees. Members were selected by an open call for expression of interest. A total of 483 candidates applied.

The European Commission had already in September adopted appointed the first eight independent scientific experts as members of the new Scientific Steering Committee (SSC), also after an open call and a formal selection process. Under their guidance, the members of the other specialised committees were selected. Each committee then chose its chairperson, who also becomes a member of the SSC. The SSC is thus composed of the eight chairpersons of the specialised scientific committees and eight scientists not belonging to other scientific committees.

The renewal process was started because the three-year mandate of the members of the scientific committees was running out. The new members are in principle also appointed for a three-year period, but their mandate may be adjusted in function of the progress made in setting up the European Food Authority. The responsibility for scientific advice in the area of food safety is to be transferred to the Authority as soon as it becomes operational.

The Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) and the specialised scientific committees were set up in the current format in 1997 in response to the BSE crisis. Their objective is to prepare scientific advice to the Commission guided by the principles of independence, transparency and excellency. The members of the scientific committees are appointed in their individual capacity.

The full list of members of the eight scientific committees is available on

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/pri/en/oj/dat/2000/c_338/c_33820001129en00160021.pdf

More information about the Scientific Steering Committee is available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/library/press/press71_en.html

Released on 13/12/2000

Annex:

Composition of Scientific Steering Committee:

Gérard Pascal Chair of Scientific Steering Committee

Albert Osterhaus 1. Vice-Chair of Scientific Steering Committee

Vittorio Silano 2. Vice-Chair of Scientific Steering Committee

Keith H. Jones Member of Scientific Steering Committee

Werner Klein Member of Scientific Steering Committee

Ib Knudsen Member of Scientific Steering Committee

Pere Puigdomènech Member of Scientific Steering Committee

Staffan Skerfving Member of Scientific Steering Committee

Ada G.A.C. Knaap Chair of Scientific Committee on Food

Georges Bories Chair of Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition

Johanna Fink-Gremmels Chair of Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health

Anthony R. Hardy Chair of Scientific Committee on Plants

Ian R. White Chair of Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products intended for Consumers

Johannes Löwer Chair of Scientific Committee on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices

James W. Bridges Chair of Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment

The chairperson of the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare will be elected in January 2001.

Scientific Committees
FOOD SAFETY | PUBLIC HEALTH | CONSUMER PROTECTION | DIRECTORATE GENERAL "HEALTH & CONSUMER PROTECTION"