Science and Technology Committee

This group has a long record of interest in areas of public concern which involve research in science and technology. The group meets three times a year, usually in London.

Members give regular reports to the group on various topics of interest to the committee, such as food, agriculture and farming, the environment, parliamentary matters, the media coverage of science topics, and transport. The group has responded to various consultation documents in the past year.

  • OST: Update on Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees
  • FSA: Questionnaire on National Provisions in the UK Food Labelling Regulations 1996, as amended
  • NICE: Response to the NICE appraisal consultation document on age-related macular degeneration
  • MHRA: Challenges and priorities for the next five years
  • DEFRA: The protection of waters against pollution from agriculture
  • DEFRA: The third sector
  • Schools Food Trust: Code of practice for drinks provided in schools

The group has instigated three major projects recently. The first was the publication, launch and distribution of 'Deserving of Answers'. This publication contained over 200 questions submitted by members and others and the FSA, DEFRA, and other organisations provided answers to many of the questions. The second project was the organisation, with the Northern Region of the RSA, of a one-day conference 'The Future of Food' in Darlington at which the speakers were Lord Haskins of Skidby, Chairman of the Rural Delivery Revue; Michael Hart, Chairman of the Small Family environmental farmer; Professor Janet Bainbridge, Chief Executive EPICC; Deirdre Hutton, Chairman of NCC; and Prudence Leith, Chairman of the RSA 'Focus on Food' campaign. The latest was a seminar 'Farming Matters- does it matter to you?' with a subsequent publication.

Committees and forums on which members of the group sit, or which they attend, are:

  • Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes
  • Pesticide Residues Committee
  • Food Standards Agency
  • Family Farmers Association
  • Institute of Ideas
  • Engineering Groups (nuclear energy, mobile phones etc)
  • Royal Academy of Engineering
  • PAWS - Public Awareness of Science and Engineering
  • Biological and Biotechnological Scientific Research Council (BBSRC)
  • Sustain
  • DEFRA Consumer Groups