EDT(2) SP29

SCIENCE POLICY in WALES

Environment Agency Wales

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on how science policy in Wales can more effectively support development of a knowledge based economy. As a science based regulatory we have a strong track record of research, often carried out with partners, to deliver practical environmentally-sound solutions.The Welsh environment underpins our economy. In Wales 117,000 jobs are dependent on a clean environment and this contributes £8.8 billion to the economy. We cannot afford to ignore the importance of our environment or take our eye of the ball. The Assembly, through "Wales - a better country" also recognises the importance of the environment and the central role it must play in building a sustainable future for Wales. A focussed and dynamic Science Policy is essential to underpin economic development and a healthy environment.We are particularly keen to support the Assembly’s endeavours for better science. The Environment Agency launched its Science Strategy "Solving environmental problems using science" in December 2004. This document is available on our web site (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/science_strategy_923074.pdf).At the core of this strategy are a number of science programmes. These include; Integrated Catchment Science, Environment & Human Health, Climate Change Impacts, Sustainable Use of Resources, and Flood Risk Management. The descriptions of these programmes may assist the Committee in identifying themes important for science in Wales. It also highlights where we have identified our priority areas and key innovations required.We are tasked with ensuring that our policies and operational activities are supported by high quality science. The Science Strategy aims to provide the tools to help reduce uncertainty in risk assessment. It also ensures policy formulation and decision-making are underpinned by scientific evidence. This requires both short and long term investment in our science and recognises that the questions that require scientific solutions often extend beyond our regulatory remit. To achieve our aims we need to work closely with others and establish effective networks with the scientific community, and similar organisations. This promotes sharing of information and allows us to take advantage of collaborative arrangements for funding and support. In Wales we have a well-established science partnerships with Assembly departments and others. We have recently arranged a meeting with officials and our Chief Scientific Advisor. We are also in the process of appointing a science manager to provide a focus for Agency science needs in Wales.The research community, especially universities and research institutes within the United Kingdom, is a key element of this arrangement and the Environment Agency has a long history of collaboration with many of our world class academic institutes. This includes strong links with a number of Welsh universities and research centres. It is our aim to strengthen these. Current arrangements include the co-sponsoring of research fellowships and supporting researchers, staff exchanges among institutions, peer review of research proposals and science documents, and funding of academic positions to provide expertise and learning. There are many examples in Wales of environmental concerns that are shared with others. They require a collaborative understanding of the problems and issues and a determination to resolve problems using multidisciplinary approaches and effective network arrangements. These include:

• the introduction of European legislation such as the Water Framework Directive requiring both chemical and biological measures to define good status;
• waste regulations and associated health concerns regarding the disposal of hazardous waste;
• environmental air quality and the human health implications for less privileged populations;
• the re-development of brownfield sites (central to policies on sustainable development and urban regeneration) that must take into account the risks to human health and the wider environment posed by soil contamination from historical land-use.

This is not a comprehensive list by any means but serves to illustrate the need for continued scientific research to provide the evidence base for decision-making. New technologies and management approaches result from our investment in science but with competing budget priorities it is important that those responsible for managing and commissioning science work together and where possible, seek collaborative opportunities to help solve common problems.To this end, Science Group and EA Wales staff are working together to develop a welsh environmental science capacity building programme. The Science post and close links to Assembly staff mentioned above are key components to this work. Existing partnerships with a wide range of welsh universities and research institutes is also important. By judiciously supporting groups with high research potential and fostering partnerships to help raise the quality of training for young welsh scientists, this initiative will put Wales in an excellent position when competing for resources to tackle environmental problems both at home and abroad. It will also contribute significantly to the general economy of Wales. We believe a strong, well established environmental science base will contribute significantly in terms of a better environment and a strengthened economy.The Environment Agency continually strives to protect and improve our environment and to share information with others to help create a better place in which to live. We welcome the opportunity to discuss issues and concern about our shared environment and in particular our investment in science.Yours sincerelyDR HELEN PHILLIPSDIRECTOR WALES