1. Advisory Forum, 11-12 July 2005 Terms of Reference for Scientific Panels

2. Regulations “… seek to maintain scientific excellence at all times through the best expertise available. … the Centre may set up independent ad hoc scientific panels.” Advisory Forum, 11-12 July 2005

3. Balance - rapid response vs - transparent process The panels should have as broad representation of EU expertise as possible Advisory Forum, 11-12 July 2005

4. Role of Panels Give scientific opinion on questions put to the ECDC Promote the scientific agenda of the Centre Aid the Centre in keeping abreast with scientific development – links to R&D Advisory Forum, 11-12 July 2005

5. Type of Panels Not for single-issue problems, but for wider areas, where several different types of issues may arise. 'Semi-permanent' Advisory Forum, 11-12 July 2005

6. Six Panels suggested Air-borne diseases (including influenza) Vaccine-preventable diseases (including vaccine issues) Sexually transmitted infections and blood- borne viral diseases Food- and water-borne diseases, diseases of environmental origin and zoonoses Antimicrobial resistance and nosocomial infections Serious imported diseases and other travel- related health issues Advisory Forum, 11-12 July 2005

7. How find experts? 1.For the Scientific Panels 2.For questions falling outside any defined remit Advisory Forum, 11-12 July 2005

8. Suggestion: experts Publish call for interest widely in the Union  roster of experts From these, Advisory Forum chooses Panel members The rest saved on list as 'reserve' when other types of issues arise In urgent situations: Centre chooses from this list Advisory Forum, 11-12 July 2005

9. Panel structure EU-wide call for interest Advisory Forum selects members Up to 11 members per panel Panel elects chair person Panels report to Advisory Forum, but in urgent situations to Director Advisory Forum, 11-12 July 2005

10. Level of response Chief Scientist decides who should process question –in house –Advisory Forum (plenum/email) –appropriate Scientific Panel –appropriate DSN –other experts from roster Advisory Forum, 11-12 July 2005

11. Questions to the AF Role and mandate of the SPs? In which areas are SPs required to promote scientific agenda? Call for interest to build up a reserve of scientists in different specialist areas? Need for a Scientific Advisory Board? Panel minutes public? Advisory Forum, 11-12 July 2005