Can consultation of both experts and the public help developing public policy? Some aspects of the debate in France

We propose that the use of a contract between the State and scientific experts be brought into general use to clarify the procedures for expert consultations aimed at elucidating public decisions in situations to which the precautionary principle applies. This discussion is based on several instance...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science & public policy 2003-06, Vol.30 (3), p.199-203
Main Author: Weill, Claire
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access to information
Accountability
Democracy
Experts
France
Knowledge
Policy studies
Public opinion
Public policy
Science and technology
Transparency
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We propose that the use of a contract between the State and scientific experts be brought into general use to clarify the procedures for expert consultations aimed at elucidating public decisions in situations to which the precautionary principle applies. This discussion is based on several instances of expert and public consultations conducted over the past decade at the request of the French government, and on the structure and operation of four health and safety agencies recently created, in particular, the French food safety agency (l'Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des aliments, AFSSA). Finally, we suggest a number of underlying principles to govern the use of expert advice and consultation in the process of public decision-making about issues involving scientific and technical uncertainty.
ISSN:0302-3427
1471-5430
DOI:10.3152/147154303781780452