Oh no, you're thinking, yet another cookie pop-up. Well, sorry, it's the law. We measure how many people read us, and ensure you see relevant ads, by storing cookies on your device. If you're cool with that, hit “Accept all Cookies”. For more info and to customize your settings, hit “Customize Settings”.

Review and manage your consent

Here's an overview of our use of cookies, similar technologies and how to manage them. You can also change your choices at any time, by hitting the “Your Consent Options” link on the site's footer.

Manage Cookie Preferences
  • These cookies are strictly necessary so that you can navigate the site as normal and use all features. Without these cookies we cannot provide you with the service that you expect.

  • These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. They perform functions like preventing the same ad from continuously reappearing, ensuring that ads are properly displayed for advertisers, and in some cases selecting advertisements that are based on your interests.

  • These cookies collect information in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used. They allow us to count visits and traffic sources so that we can measure and improve the performance of our sites. If people say no to these cookies, we do not know how many people have visited and we cannot monitor performance.

See also our Cookie policy and Privacy policy.

This article is more than 1 year old

EU wants a panel o'boffins to replace solo science advisor

Evidence-based policy advice, free of institutional bias? There's an idea

Following widespread criticism of his decision to axe the role of chief science advisor (CSA), European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has announced that a seven-strong panel will be set up to take its place.

Last November, former CSA Anne Glover revealed that her job – which has existed since 2012 – was scrapped seemingly as a result of pressure from green groups, who disapproved of Glover’s stance on GM crops.

During a lunch with internationally renowned scientists, including Sir Paul Nurse, Jules Hoffmann, Serge Haroche, László Lovász, Jean Tirole and Edvard Ingjald Moser, Juncker said that the Commish would not lack independent scientific expertise and that the EU's research, science and innovation commissioner, Carlos Moedas, will get a panel in place by the autumn.

Juncker said he wants the best scientific advice to complement in-house services. According to a Commission statement, that advice will “bring together evidence and insights from different disciplines and approaches, independent of institutional or political interests”.

“The new model for independent scientific advice will contribute to the Commission's continued pursuit of the best possible evidence-based policy. This will be a significant step forward for an effective European Commission that delivers for citizens,” said Moedas, sounding an awful lot like former Commish president José Manuel Barroso, when he announced Glover’s job back in 2011. Plus ça change. ®

Similar topics

Similar topics

Similar topics

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like