Committee will pick Europe’s new scientific advisers

The European commission has appointed the UK’s Sir David King, Portugal’s António Vitorino and Rianne Letschert from the Netherlands as the ‘identification committee’ who will help set up its new network of scientific advisers. Their job will be to suggest candidates for the panel of seven scientists that will make up the new science advice mechanism, which will replace the recently scrapped post of chief scientific adviser.

The trio’s combined experience spans several areas of science and EU policy. King was formerly chief scientific adviser to the UK government and is currently the foreign secretary’s special representative for climate change. Vitorino has held several positions in the Portuguese government including deputy prime minister, defence minister and was European commissioner for justice and internal affairs from 1999-2004. Letschert is currently chair of the Dutch Royal Young Academy of Sciences.

‘I am delighted that we have such renowned experts to help us select the best people to give the European commission high-quality, independent scientific advice,’ said science commissioner Carlos Moedas in a statement. He plans to have the new scientific advisory panel set up by the autumn.