(ii) Building on advice,
to provide a risk analysis
Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards
Chairman:
Professor A Seaton.
Terms of Reference:
To advise as required on the establishment and
application of air quality standards in the UK, for purposes of
developing policy on air pollution control and increasing public
knowledge and understanding of air quality taking account of best
available evidence of the effects of air pollution on human health
and the wider environment, and of progressive development of the
air quality monitoring network.
Ultraviolet Measurement and Impacts Review Group
Chairman:
Dr E Webb.
Terms of Reference:
To review current knowledge of the climatology
of the biologically damaging UVB radiation of the UK and the environmental
impacts of current levels of UVB; to assess the potential increases
in UVB as a result of stratospheric ozone depletion over the UK
and, building in published work, review the potential impacts
of these, and to advise the Department on further research required.
To provide the Department with the best possible current scientific
assessment of UVB measurement and impacts for the UK, on which
to base policy; and a thorough assessment of the severity of the
consequences should current policies fail.
Environment Agency
Veterinary Products Committee
Chairperson:
Professor I Aitken.
Terms of Reference:
— To give advice with respect to safety,
quality and efficacy in relation to the veterinary use of any
substance or article (not being an instrument, apparatus or appliance)
to which any provision of the Medicines Act is applicable.
— To promote the collection of information
relating to suspected adverse reactions for the purpose of enabling
such advice to be given.
Pesticides Forum
Chairperson:
Dr D Shannon.
Terms of Reference:
— To bring together the views of those
concerned with the use and effects of pesticides.
— To identify their common interests
and to assist in the effective dissemination of best practice,
advances in technology and research and development results.
— To advise Government on the promotion
and implementation of its policy relating to the responsible use
of pesticides.
Pesticides in the Environment Working Group
Chairperson:
Mr J Seager.
Terms of Reference:
— To promote liaison, co-operation
and information exchange in relation to pesticides in the environment
between pesticides regulators, producers and users.
— To consider and comment on draft
reports concerning pollution from pesticides and in particular,
an annual review by the Environment Agency of the incidence of
pesticides in the aquatic environment.
— To consider and review monitoring
programmes for pesticides, identify deficiencies and recommend
improvements.
— To consider existing and proposed
R&D programmes relating to pesticides; identify "knowledge
gaps" and opportunities for collaborative action; and promote
collaborative action; and promote effective dissemination and
adoption of research findings.
— To consider relevant issues from
constituent bodies and ensure effective dissemination of information.
— To collate and publish information
on monitoring pesticides in the environment and make recommendations
for priorities for action.
Diseases in Wildlife Working Group
Chairperson:
Mr A Ferguson.
Terms of Reference:
To consider:
— the possibility of greater co-ordination
of current schemes and available resources;
— the development of protocols and
guidelines for wildlife disease investigation;
— the feasibility of establishing systems
to facilitate exchange of data/records among interested parties;
— the establishment of a register of
tissues and sera banks to facilitate wildlife disease research;
— approaches to developing a suite
of filed tests for monitoring health status in wild animals, and
to help focus aims and resources.
Marine Pollution Management Group
UK Biodiversity Group
Terms of Reference:
— Co-ordination of the work of Country
Groups in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which
promote and monitor the implementation of the agreed plans.
— Ensuring that the outstanding habitat
and species action plans are prepared and follow common standards
and agreed objectives, and are submitted to the Government for
approval.
— Providing advice to Government on
the UK dimension of the Biodiversity strategy.
— Reporting progress on the Biodiversity
Action Plan to the Government and public.
Environmental Assessment Cooperative
Chairperson:
Mr R Perryman.
Terms of Reference:
— Produce a "toolkit" that
will help applicants to produce a satisfactory application under
IPC.
— Provide guidance that applicants
can apply to a particular process.
— Guidance is restricted to environmental
analysis under Integrated Pollution Control in the UK.
Biocides Usage Group
Chairperson:
Mr C Barden.
Terms of Reference:
— Agreeing the factors which would
contribute towards ensuring that the risks posed by biocides to
people and the environment are at a minimum while maintaining
effective control of pests;
— Advising on, and where appropriate
progressing, initiatives in these areas;
— Advising on how initiatives might
be promoted and uptake encouraged;
— Providing examples of existing good
practice;
— Suggesting how the "strategy"
could be monitored and shown to be effective; and
— Identifying and obtaining any data
needed to underpin the above.
