The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra’s) Science Advisory Council (SAC) provides independent advice on science policy and strategy to Defra. It enhances and challenges the evidence Defra uses to develop its policies, ensuring decisions are made with high-quality and up-to-date scientific information. It also identifies sources of additional expert evidence that can help Defra and provides oversight on how evidence is used in policymaking. Examples of areas where it has advised Defra include animal exotic diseases and gene editing. It was first set up in 2004 to provide advice to Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser, but its existence is not protected by any statute. In 2011 it was re-modelled and had its role expanded to supporting the Chief Scientific Adviser in oversight of all Defra’s expert scientific communities. Its members must provide advice with impartiality, integrity and objectivity.
