Articles

Scientific advice should be transparent, objective and independent, and there should be more science and more diverse expertise available to the European Commission’s President, a coalition of 28 international and national NGOs wrote in a letter addressed to President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker. The new President will have to decide whether or not to retain the position of Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA) that was established by his predecessor, President José Manuel Barroso. In the majority of European countries, governments rely for advice on scientific committees composed of various experts, who prepare transparent and public reports. Among EU countries, only the UK currently maintains the position of a single CSA as a full-time government office. The NGOs argue that it is unreasonable to expect that one single person can guarantee objective and competent advice on a widespread range of issues to the European Commission’s President. They are concerned that the model chosen by President Barroso lacks transparency and objectivity, and makes it easier for lobbyists to influence scientific policy advice.