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UK Government

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)
It is the department's job to help provide the environment in which business can succeed, even in difficult conditions.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
The overarching challenge for Defra is to secure a healthy environment in which we and future generations can prosper.

Department of Transport (DfT)
The DfT plays a major role in the protection of the marine environment, particularly in respect of fisheries and in ensuring, in co-operation with the FSA, the safety of the aquatic food chain, including the safety of consumers of fish and shellfish.

Health Protection Agency (HPA)
Set up to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
HSE's job is to protect people against risks to health or safety arising out of work activities.

Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD)
The primary aim of CRD is to ensure the safe use of biocides, industrial chemicals, pesticides and detergents to protect the health of people and the environment.

Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)
The vision of the VMD is the responsible, safe and effective use of veterinary medicinal products. In working towards achieving this vision the VMD aims to protect public health, animal health, the environment and promote animal welfare by assuring the safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
We enhance and safeguard the health of the public by ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe. No product is risk-free.

Home Office (Home Office)
The Home Office is the lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, counter-terrorism, police, and science and research.

Direct.Gov (Direct.Gov)
The official government website for citizens, with easy access to the public services you use and the information you need, delivered by the UK government.

UK Parliament (UK Parliament)

Scottish Executive (Scotland)

National Assembly for Wales (Wales)

Northern Ireland Executive (NI)

UK Independent Scientific Advisory Committees

Advisory Committee on Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF)
To provide expert advice to Government on questions relating to microbiological issues and food.

Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP)
A non-statutory, independent body of scientific experts that advises the Food Standards Agency on any matters relating to novel foods (including genetically modified foods) and novel processes (including food irradiation).

Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP)
A statutory body set up by Ministers to advise on all matters relating to the control of pesticides.

Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (CoMEAP)
To provide advice to Government Departments and Agencies on all matters concerning the potential toxicity and effects upon health of air pollutants.

Pesticides Residue Committee (PRC)
To advise Ministers and the Chief Executives of the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) and the Food Standards Agency on the planning of surveillance programmes for pesticide residues in the UK food supply and the evaluation of the results; procedures for sampling, sample processing and new methods of analysis.

Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN)
To provide advice to the Food Standards Agency and Department of Health as well as other Government Agencies and Departments. Its remit includes matters concerning nutrient content of individual foods, advice on diet and the nutritional status of people.

Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Its role is to provide independent expert scientific advice to the Government on spongiform encephalopathies such as BSE, CJD and scrapie. SEAC's remit is wide-ranging, and covers public health, food safety and animal health issues.

Other Organisations

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the keystone of European Union (EU) risk assessment regarding food and feed safety. In close collaboration with national authorities and in open consultation with its stakeholders, EFSA provides independent scientific advice and clear communication on existing and emerging risks.

Institute of Environment and Health (IEH)
Its principal objective, is the promulgation of better knowledge and understanding of the impact of environmental factors on human health and the wider environment.

Interdepartmental Group on Health Risks from Chemicals (IGHRC)
Comprises representatives of UK government departments, research councils and agencies, and aims to stimulate the development of new improved approaches to the assessment of risks to human health from chemicals.

International Programme on Chemical Safety (INCHEM)
Rapid access to internationally peer reviewed information on chemicals commonly used throughout the world, which may also occur as contaminants in the environment and food. It consolidates information from a number of intergovernmental organizations whose goal it is to assist in the sound management of chemicals.

Professional Societies

British Toxicology Society (BTS)
Toxicology is the science of disease induced by chemicals present in the diet, medicines, the environment and the workplace.

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
A not-for-profit, worldwide professional organization comprised of individuals and institutions dedicated to the study, analysis and solution of environmental problems, the management and regulation of natural resources, research and development and environmental education.

Non UK Government Sites

EU Scientific Committees (EU SCs)

EU Scientific Steering Committee (EU SSCs)

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

US National Toxicology Programme (NTP)

US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

World Health Organisation: Chemicals in Food (WHO: Chemicals in Food)

COT

COT Secretariat

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