Advisory Committees
Role and Structure
1. Advisory Committees exist to provide advice to Ministers and to other Advisory Committees on matters where an independent expert opinion is required. Some of the Committees are set up on a statutory basis. Others are non-statutory. All of the Committees publish reports.
2. Committee Members are appointed for their expertise in a particular field. Many of the Committees which advise Health and Agriculture Ministers have a mainly scientific membership because of the nature of the issues to be considered by them. However, most of the Committees already have at least one 'lay member' to put forward the point of view of the consumer. Those which do not are currently in the process of appointing lay members.
3. Advisory Committees may also seek the advice of one another on an ad hoc basis. For example, the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes may seek the advice of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Foods, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) on specific toxicological issues. Cross-membership of Committees also exists in a great many cases. This helps to keep committees up-to-date with the thinking and opinions of other committees.
4. There are also a number of Working Parties which advise Health and Agriculture Ministers and the Joint Food Safety and Standards Group on its surveillance programmes.
5. A list of the principal Advisory Committees which advise Health and Agriculture Ministers on food and food-related issues and their remits follows.
Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) Non-statutory.
ACMSF is a broadly based committee which advises Ministers on the risks to humans of micro-organisms which are used or occur in food, and on the exercise of powers in the Food Safety Act 1990 relating to the microbiological safety of food. It is responsible for advising on the Government's microbiological food surveillance programme and its findings, and undertakes investigations into specific areas of microbiological interest/risk. When the ACMSF publishes a report containing advice to Government and others, the Government's response is published simultaneously.
Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) Non-statutory.
ACNFP advises Ministers on any matters relating to the irradiation of food, and the manufacture of novel foods including genetically modified foods and foods produced by novel processes. It takes advice from specialist committees where relevant. It considers specific applications from the food industry made under the EC Regulations on novel foods and novel food ingredients and advises Ministers on whether they should be cleared, and publishes specific reports when clearances are given for individual novel foods and processes, as well as an annual report.
Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) Statutory.
The ACP was put on a legal basis by Schedule 5 of the Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985. The Act states that the Ministers shall consult the ACP as to regulations which they contemplate making, as to approvals which they contemplate giving, revoking or suspending and as to conditions to which they contemplate making approvals subject. ACP publishes evaluation documents of new active ingredients and reviewed products, as well as an annual report.
Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) Non-statutory.
COMA considers and advises Ministers on the medical and scientific aspects of nutrition and developments in the agricultural and food industries. It reports to the CMO as well as being chaired by him and publishes annual and specific reports. COMA has two study panels to advise on Maternal and Child Nutrition and Novel Foods. It also convenes expert Working Groups to report on specific issues (e.g. cardiovascular disease, cancer). These are disbanded after they report.
Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in The Environment (COMARE) Non-statutory.
COMARE's terms of reference are to "assess and advise Government on the health effects of natural and man-made radiation in the environment and to assess the adequacy of the available data and the need for further research". It publishes specific reports on issues on which it is asked to advise.
Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and The Environment (COT) Non-statutory.
COT is a specialist committee, with a significant proportion of its work on toxicity relating to food safety issues. It reports to the CMO and through him to Ministers. It gives advice on additions in food once a 'case of need' has been established by the FAC. It also advises the ACNFP on Toxicological Safety. It publishes an annual report and specific reports.
The Committee on Carcinogenicity (COC) and The Committee on Mutagenicity (COM) are equivalent committees which advise on these specific aspects of toxicology. Food-related topics represent a smaller proportion of their work.
Consumer Panel Non-statutory.
The Consumer Panel comprises individuals nominated in a personal capacity by leading consumer organisations. Their role is to represent the views of ordinary consumers to Ministers on food issues of concern to consumers, and to advise on the transparency of food policies and on the transmission of advice and information on food safety, diet and nutrition. It publishes all agendas, minutes and discussion papers, plus an annual report.
Food Advisory Committee (FAC) Non-statutory.
FAC is a broadly based committee which advises Ministers on matters relating to the labelling, composition and chemical safety of food. Its task is to review and prepare reports on all matters within its remit. It takes advice from relevant expert committees (e.g. food chemical toxicology from COT) and its membership includes the chairman of COT. It has recently taken on responsibility for the oversight of the food surveillance programme. It publishes an annual report and reports on specific investigations.
Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) Non-statutory.
SEAC advises Government on all matters relating to BSE and CJD. It considers the implications of research findings for public and animal health, and recommends possible action and further research. Its advice to Government on specific issues is published.
Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) statutory
The VPC was created under Section 4 of the Medicines Act 1968. Its remit is to give advice to the Licensing Authority (Agriculture and Health Ministers) with respect to safety, quality and efficacy in relation to the veterinary use of any substance or article to which the Medicines Act applies, and to promote the collection of information relating to suspected adverse reactions. It publishes an Annual Report and a specific report following each monthly meeting.
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