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On 4 December 2006, the Department of Trade and Industry published a report (Office of Science and Innovation review of science in Defra) which examines how the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) manages and uses science as part of its planning and policy-making.
The report is the second in a series looking at how each government department can continue to improve its use of science. It commends Defra's recent work to assure the quality of its science, its use of peer review and establishment of an overall Science Advisory Council. It also recognises Defra's progress towards establishing a sound Evidence and Innovation Strategy, which sets out a framework within which science-related activities are carried out. This is an important step in linking science to the delivery of a department's objectives and showing how value for money is achieved.
The report recommends improvements in Defra's processes for the commissioning and management of science. It recognises that Defra has a good record on publication of the science it funds, but says more needs to be done to ensure that the underlying data are also made available. It emphasises that Defra should actively maintain and make best use of the scientific expertise and infrastructure it needs, both in-house and externally.
The report can be viewed on the DTI website