§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Science Advisory Council for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has a practising veterinary surgeon with current experience with large animals, livestock production and agricultural practice among its members. [HL1335]
§ Lord WhittyIn appointing members, we looked for those able to contribute to the issues facing the department, not merely in their chosen areas of expertise but also the wider agenda of the department. We expect the council to carry forward much of its work through subgroups and will co-opt appropriate experts, such as practicing veterinary surgeons, as required to provide additional advice. We shall keep the council's workings and membership under review.
Those members who have a particular background in veterinary matters including large animals, livestock production and agricultural practice include:
Professor Roy Anderson, FRS, chair of the SAC, who is head of Infectious Disease Epidemiology Department at Imperial College, London. His specialist area of research is infectious disease epidemiology. He possesses broad knowledge of animal husbandry practices gained as an expert in infectious disease epidemiology and through serving on research council and government advisory committees such as Spongiform Encephalopathy Committee, Dangerous Pathogens Committe, Advisory Council on Science and Technology, Health Protection Agency, SARS Advisory Group, the science advisory group to the Civil Contingencies Committee and the Badgers and TB Panel.
Professor Sir John Marsh, vice-chair of the SAC, who has extensive knowledge of farming and agricultural issues having been dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food and then 80WA director of the Centre for Agricultural Strategy. He is currently president of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants, chairman of the Council of the Society for the Responsible Use of Resources in Agriculture and on the Land, honorary fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and the Royal Agricultural Society of England. He has served as president of the Agricultural Economics Society, and has had deep involvement with a wide variety of public committees concerned with agriculture and food.
Professor Mark Woolhouse, who is currently director of the Centre for Infectious Diseases at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh. His main area of research is veterinary epidemiology. He has served on many advisory groups such as the Defra Independent Scientific Review of Bovine TB, the Scottish Agricultural College Animal Health and Welfare Committee, the Chief Scientist's Advisory Group on foot and mouth disease, the WHO study group on Veterinary Public Health, the Wellcome Trust's Tropical Medicine Interest Group and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Commitee subgroup on BSE in sheep.
Professor Christopher Gaskell, FRSM, who is professor of small animal studies and pro-vice chancellor at the University of Liverpool. He has broad knowledge and understanding of veterinary science gained through his research and activities as, for example, chairman of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency science audit, member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, British Veterinary Association and as fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.
Professor Philip Lowe, who is director of the Centre for Rural Economy, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and director for the Rural Economy and Land Use Programme of the UK Research Councils. His knowledge broadly covers rural and social science issues.