*****************************

Science Advice and Policy
Development in the EU*****************************The University of Tokyo
1 March 2012
Michael D. ROGERS© Michael D. Rogers, 20121

EVENTS!

Harold Macmillan Prime Minister(1957-1963), when asked by a young
journalist (after a long dinner)what ismost likely to blow governments off
course replied:“Events dear boy. Events”© Michael D. Rogers, 2012

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A Critical EU “Event”- Mad Cow Disease  Mad Cow Disease (BSE) started in the UK herd around 1986
 First human case (vCJD) in the UK announced on 23-3-1996
 Commission Decision 96/239, 27-3-1996, Worldwide ban on theexport of British beef Separation of Responsibilities for Food Production from Food
Safety in 1999
 EU GENERAL FOOD LAW Regulation N° 178/2002

 European Food Safety Authority – Established 2002 to provide
expert advice on food safety© Michael D. Rogers, 20123

THE GOVERNANCE OF SCIENCE ADVICE
2001 White Paper – European Governance (2001/428)

Working Group 1b – “Democratising Expertise”
Some Important Messages

 Expertise increasingly sought but increasingly contested Transparency in the selection and use of expertise is essential
 Broadening the expertise base in policy advice is necessary Integrating expertise in all stages of risk governance© Michael D. Rogers, 2012

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THE GOVERNANCE OF SCIENCE ADVICE

2002 Communication (2002/713)“The Collection and Use of Expertise by the Commission”
PRINCIPLES & GUIDELINES QUALITY
 OPENNESS EFFECTIVENESS© Michael D. Rogers, 2012

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THE GOVERNANCE OF SCIENCE ADVICE“scientists should be on tap, but not on top”
Winston Churchill

but“The scientist does not claim or want to be on top, but it
is not nearly enough to have him merely on tap. In
most cases the executive authority will not be able tosee for himself when the scientist should be called in orwhat questions he should be asked”
J.D. Bernal© Michael D. Rogers, 2012

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There must be a Clear Distinction between
Advice and Action
 Between Risk Assessment and Risk Management
 The Policy Maker has to Balance the Economy, Equity andEnvironmental Dimensions (the three “E”s)

 The Expert is concerned only with the state of knowledge andthe uncertainties in this knowledge
 However, a strict separation between those that ask thequestion and those who provide the answer brings its own
problems (cf. EFSA)© Michael D. Rogers, 2012

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Science in EU Policy Development
EUROPEAN COMMISSION

DG

DG FISHDG AGRI

BEPA
Bureau of European
DG TREN
DG ENV
Policy Advisors

DG ENTR
DG

EU agencies
EFSA, ECDC, EEA,EMEA, ECHA, etc.

DG SANCO
Health and Consumer Protection
with Scientific Committees

DG RTD
Science Research

On Consumer Products

Joint Research Centre

DG EMPL
Scientific Committee on
Occupational Exposure Limits© Michael D. Rogers, 20128

“The EFSA Model”

The European Commission“Asking the Questions”- Is it the right question? -EFSA“Providing the Answers”- Do they have the right experts? © Michael D. Rogers, 2012

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ADVICE ► ACTION
orACTION ►ADVICE!
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
andHESC Research “We do not end some lives for the medical benefit ofothers. For me, this is a matter of conviction”(President Bush, 12.8 2001)© Michael D. Rogers, 201210

Advice for Policy“Situating theAppreciation” “Appreciating theSituation” © Michael D. Rogers, 201211

How Not To Do It!
The UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
Advises UK government on drug related Issues
The UK government changed the classification ofcannibis from "Class C" to "Class B"
Professor Nutt, Chair of the Council, said the decision
was not based on their scientific evidence and thatcannabis was less dangerous than alcohol

The Minister said this crossed the line from advising tocampaigning and that he had no choice but to ask forProfessor Nutt's resignation (not on “top”)© Michael D. Rogers, 201212

“SMARTER” REGULATIONSEx-PostEvaluation

Ex-AntePerceived NeedImplementation

RIAAdoptionConsultation© Michael D. Rogers, 2012

The Need for More Experts!

13WE ALL WANT TO IMPROVE RISKREGULATION!
SO MAKE USE OF THE EXPERT COMMUNITY!
WE DON’T WANT TO BE “ON TOP”

butWE DO WANT TO BE HEARD AND TO MAKE A USEFULCONTRIBUTION TO THE REGULATORY PROCESS. EXPERTISE IS ASCARCE COMMODITY AND MOVING FROM CHURCHILL TO BERNAL“ IN MOST CASES THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY WILL NOT BE ABLE
TO SEE FOR HIMSELF WHEN THE SCIENTIST SHOULD BE CALLEDIN OR WHAT QUESTIONS HE SHOULD BE ASKED”© Michael D. Rogers, 201214