Relationship with the Scientific Committees
As we understand it the White Paper makes no clear statement about the relationship between the authority and the existing scientific committees. We wish to say at the outset that we have in the past had no occasion to criticise the content of the work of these bodies and their highly competent members - but the same can most definitely not be said of the obvious shortcomings in their organisation, and hence ultimately in the efficiency of their activities.
We can imagine the authority, for example, acting as a sort of "secretariat" of the committees, providing preparatory and organisational scientific support and thus enabling the scientists to concentrate on their real work. Careful consideration must be given to the question of who issues a scientific assessment: the committees or the authority.
When the details of the collaboration are being worked out, account should be taken of the recommendations of the December 1999 study "The Future of Scientific Advice in the EU" by Professors James, Kemper and Pascal.
