ARCHIVE: Bovine TB Science Advisory Body: What do we do?

Aim

  • Provide independent expert oversight of Defra-funded bovine TB (bTB) research, identify gaps in our evidence base and to provide independent advice on the strategic direction of, and priorities for, all Defra-funded bTB-related research. 
  • Provide independent expert scientific advice on bTB to Defra, drawing on Defra’s bTB science activities, their relationship with Defra’s bTB policy goals, and the wider UK and international science base.
  • Provide independent interpretation of bTB-related science.

Specific objectives

  • Provide advice on the quality and progress of research projects currently funded by Defra and the likelihood of them achieving their objectives and whether these objectives are appropriate to support policy development.
  • Evaluate and recommend actions to be taken on concept notes and research proposals if required. 
  • Evaluate reports from contractors at the end of a contract, or at significant review points if required.
  • The bTB SAB will provide a short annual report of recommendations for programme direction.
  • Provide advice on future TB research requirements to close gaps in the evidence base.

Scope

The group will consider:

  • all available bTB science, both from within and external to Defra, both national and international.
  • bTB in cattle, other domestic & companion animals, wildlife and persistence in the environment.
  • natural, economics and social science.

The Bovine TB Science Advisory Body (bTB SAB) has three (formerly four) working subgroups focusing on specific areas of Defra’s bTB research portfolio.

Communications

  • The bTB SAB will report to Defra’s Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) & Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) through the Animal Health & Welfare Evidence Base Unit, who manage the research programme on behalf of the Bovine TB Programme. The Animal Health & Welfare Evidence Base Unit will provide the secretariat support for bTB SAB. 
  • When necessary bTB SAB will have observer status on theBovine TB Eradication Groupfor England (set up to make recommendations to the Secretary of State on bovine TB and its eradication).  

Chair

  • The bTB SAB has anindependent external chairman, not currently employed or funded by Defra nor a member of any of the working subgroups. The Chair was appointed by Defra’s CVO & CSA. 

Membership

  • All members are independent scientific experts not currently employed or funded by Defra. The Chair may request input from, or attendance at meetings of, other scientific experts if judged necessary.

Observer status at bTB SAB meetings:

  • Chief Scientific Adviser or representative.
  • Chief Veterinary Officer or representative.
  • Animal Health & Welfare Evidence Base Core Team.
  • bTB Programme.
  • Welsh Assembly Government/ Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department / Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Where appropriate, Chairman or nominated representative of the Bovine TB Eradication Group for England
Frequency of meetings
  • Twice a year.

Duration of Bovine TB Science Advisory Body

  • This group was set up in January 2008. The working of the group was reviewed in 2010, and it was agreed that the group would continue in the same format, with the exception of the Economics and Social Sciences subgroup.

Page last modified: 24 January 2011