General Advisory Committee on Science Annual Report 2009/10

Monday 19 July 2010

The General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS) has today published its annual report, which describes the committee’s work over the past year. GACS provide independent advice to the Food Standards Agency on how it uses science.

Jeff Rooker, Chair of the Food Standards Agency said: 'The Agency continues to use an open, science and evidence-based approach in all its business and GACS has an important role to play in supporting this. Strong independent challenge and advice is vital to the Agency’s work to help us arrive at guidance that the public and the Government can have confidence in.'

The report highlights work completed by committee, including:

• advising on the Agency’s response to the recommendations of the Science Review of the Food Standards Agency by the Government Office of Science
• helping to develop the Agency’s new Science and Evidence Strategy
• improving communication between the Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs) and other independent experts

The report also describes areas where the Agency has performed well over the past year and priorities for the future.

This is GACS's second annual report and covers the period from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010.