Sub Groups

Note : these minutes represent the views of the sub-group, not the full AEBC

Present

Dave Carmichael
Phil Dale
Robin Grove-White
Rosie Hails
Jeff Maxwell
Sue Mayer
Justine Thornton (convenor)

Judith Harris (secretariat)

1. The group met to finalise its draft report for the full AEBC meeting on 23/24 April. Its discussions were based on draft texts prepared by Robin Grove-White and Jeff Maxwell.

2. In particular members addressed the question of how best to produce a document that communicated with its intended audience(s) in a direct and open way without losing sight of the wealth of written and oral evidence that had been received. The aim should be to make it possible for the reader to identify the supporting references for the statements made without undue difficulty.

3. After discussing various options, the group decided that the main report text should be based on Robin Grove-White's draft but that each section should have a series of 'end notes' and possibly also 'boxes' identifying particular pieces of evidence. These would be derived from the summary text provided by Jeff Maxwell. The source material itself should be made available on the website or in hard copy from the secretariat.

4. As it would not be possible to work up the text in this way in time for the Commission meeting, the following course of action was decided:

• Robin Grove White would revise his draft text in the light of comments made at the meeting and clear with members over the Easter weekend;
• Jeff Maxwell's text (FSE VI) would be annexed to the revised draft;
• Judith Harris would draft a covering note to Commission members explaining the relationship between the two.

Action: everyone

5. It was agreed that it would not be appropriate for either the group or the Commission to attempt an in depth assessment of the various scientific issues that had been raised during the course of the study (eg soil microbiology, water quality, geneflow). The group would instead seek comments from ACRE as to the possibility of a joint approach eg by holding some form of workshop. Judith Harris was asked to draft a letter to the Chair of ACRE which could form the basis for follow up discussions when the Chair and deputy Chair of AEBC met with ACRE on 26 April. Action: Judith Harris

6. Members then had a round table discussion of their individual views on the salient points that had emerged from the study and the factors that needed to be addressed in the decision making process.

7. Members also discussed the status of the draft report and agreed that it should be seen only by Commission members (and secretariat) at this stage. Action: Justine Thornton and Judith Harris to report to others as necessary.
Note: Due to further discussion and text development the annexes were not included in the paper that went out to Commission members.

8. The draft minutes of the meeting on 26 March and letter to Monsanto previously circulated by the secretariat were agreed subject to incorporation of amendments from Rosie Hails and Sue Mayer. Action: Judith Harris to circulate to the Commission on a provisional basis and clear relevant sections with the group's visitors.

Next meeting

9. 9.30am on 23 April in the Jarvis Mount Royal Hotel, Edinburgh - to discuss any outstanding issues before presenting the draft report to the full Commission.

AEBC secretariat
April 2001