ANNEX 3 - Issues assigned to the working groups

Working group I
Essential principles, definition and scope governing the provision of scientific advice

Working group II
Management of the provision of scientific advice

Working Group III
Procedures and mechanisms for the provision of scientific advice

Scope and definition of scientific advice

Essential core principles for the provision of scientific advice

Advantages of developing a set of core principles 4. Mechanisms to enhance participation of developing countries

Harmonization of terminology, methodologies and outputs

Potential establishment of new programmes

Administration and management systems for the provision of scientific advice for Codex and Member countries

Working relationships and interactions with Codex subsidiary bodies including communication of scientific advice

Interactions between assessors and managers in general and specifically in relation to risk assessment policy

Mechanisms to enhance participation of developing countries

Identification and prioritization of risk assessment topics

FAO/WHO clearing house for risk assessments.

Language considerations

Use of risk communication experts and researchers.

Collaboration with other international organizations/bodies to effectively apply a risk-based approach across the Agri-Food continuum

Procedures for the submission of requests for scientific advice

Ways to access and enhance worldwide residue, incidence and disease surveillance data

Mechanisms to enhance participation of developing countries

Identification and selection of experts including active and/or passive means and use of scientific academies. (need for group balance and consideration of situations where insufficient response to request for experts occurs)

Remuneration and recognition of experts

Declaration and disclosure of interests and determination of expert bias - uniform criteria and application (questionnaire satisfactory?), use of best FAO/WHO judgement

Confidentiality, data protection and proprietary data

Accountability procedures, including peer review

Means to obtain clearer communication of judgements in choice and use of data

Outputs, including how to address divergent and minority opinions

Inclusion of non-experts and public consultation

Use of evaluations from national/regional authorities

Working group I Essential principles, definition and scope governing the provision of scientific advice	Working group II Management of the provision of scientific advice	Working Group III Procedures and mechanisms for the provision of scientific advice
Scope and definition of scientific advice Essential core principles for the provision of scientific advice Advantages of developing a set of core principles 4. Mechanisms to enhance participation of developing countries Harmonization of terminology, methodologies and outputs Potential establishment of new programmes	Administration and management systems for the provision of scientific advice for Codex and Member countries Working relationships and interactions with Codex subsidiary bodies including communication of scientific advice Interactions between assessors and managers in general and specifically in relation to risk assessment policy Mechanisms to enhance participation of developing countries Identification and prioritization of risk assessment topics FAO/WHO clearing house for risk assessments. Language considerations Use of risk communication experts and researchers. Collaboration with other international organizations/bodies to effectively apply a risk-based approach across the Agri-Food continuum Procedures for the submission of requests for scientific advice	Ways to access and enhance worldwide residue, incidence and disease surveillance data Mechanisms to enhance participation of developing countries Identification and selection of experts including active and/or passive means and use of scientific academies. (need for group balance and consideration of situations where insufficient response to request for experts occurs) Remuneration and recognition of experts Declaration and disclosure of interests and determination of expert bias - uniform criteria and application (questionnaire satisfactory?), use of best FAO/WHO judgement Confidentiality, data protection and proprietary data Accountability procedures, including peer review Means to obtain clearer communication of judgements in choice and use of data Outputs, including how to address divergent and minority opinions Inclusion of non-experts and public consultation Use of evaluations from national/regional authorities