The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) works to ensure the provision of the essentials of life, namely; food, air, water, animals and plants. The

Department has a remit to pursue sustainable development integrating and addressing concerns of economic, social and environmental importance.

There are five DEFRA Ministers, the Secretary of State, two Ministers of State and two Parliamentary Under Secretary's.

Defra has responsibility for a range of science issues and supports a number of research or science based facilities either as Non departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) or Executive Agencies:

• Central Science Laboratory
• Kew Royal Botanic Gardens
• Veterinary Laboratory Agency
• Veterinary Medicines Agency
• Marine Fisheries Agency
• Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
• Pesticides Safety Directorate

DEFRA has a Science Directorate which includes two divisions, Science Quality Audit and Support Division and Science Strategy and International Division all managed under the Director General of the Strategy and Evidence Group who reports to the Permanent Secretary.

The Defra Chief Scientific Advisor is responsible for the broad range of science that falls under Defra's remit. The role is to provide ministers with the best possible scientific advice and build on existing measures to ensure that science and technology are used to inform policy. The CSA also supports the UK Government's scientific work on minimising the effects of climate change and improving sustainability by promoting consistency across Defra and working together with other Government departments.

Contact Details

Website:	www.defra.gov.uk
Address:	DEFRA, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1A 3JP.
Telephone:	0207 238 6000
Email:	www.defra.gov.uk/science/contact