In late 2009, Members of the Committee agreed to set up a short life working group to discuss methods monitoring pesticides adverse health effects. The first meeting was held on 13 January 2010 at Mallard House in York, when the terms of reference were agreed. Future meetings will be held in open session.
Terms of reference
To define the shortcomings of existing systems for reporting of adverse health effects related to pesticides exposure and to assess the feasibility of development of an integrated system for the reporting, investigation and evaluation of exposure to pesticides in relation to human health. To do this we will consider:
- the short term effects of single exposures
- the possible long term effects of single exposures
- the possible long term effects of long term exposure
For the purpose of:
- developing a system to allow for the acquisition of better data
- to improve the level of ‘customer satisfaction’ for those making reports and
- to inform regulatory requirements (both with respect to risk assessment and control of hazard)
Dates of Meetings
- 13 January 2010 - Mallard House, York
- 23 March 2010 - Mallard House, York
- 15 July 2010 - Mallard House, York
- 25 October 2010 - Mallard House, York
- 3 June 2011 - Mallard House, York
Agenda
Agenda for the PAHES Working Group Meetings can be found here.
Minutes of Meetings
Minutes for meetings are approved at the subsequent meeting of the Working Group, and will be published here.
Procedure for holding ACP Working Groups in open session
If you would like to attend an ACP working group meeting as an observer please contact the secretariat for further information or complete an application form which is available here.
Completed application forms should be sent to the secretariat.
Paul Fisher
Mallard House
Kings Pool
3 Peasholme Green
York YO1 7PX
Email: acp@hse.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 01904 455702
Fax: 01904 455711
Introduction to open meetings
The purpose of ACP working group meetings being held in open session is to increase the visibility and transparency of the committee's work and to enable interested parties to hear the committee's discussions. The meetings are not intended to provide a forum for independent observers or pressure groups to present their views on a subject to the committee.
If an interested party wishes to submit information relevant to a topic for consideration by the committee, they are welcome to do so but it should be submitted in writing to the secretariat at least seven working days before the meeting. The Secretariat will discuss with the Chairman the most appropriate way to present the information to the committee and the Chairman's decision will be final.
Information concerning the dates of forthcoming ACP working group meetings and topics are available at the relevant section of the website. Most meetings are held at Kings Pool York, where access to the building(s) is controlled.
Applications to attend a meeting as an observer
Those wishing to observe can apply to attend a working group meeting.
The application form asks whether you represent any group (eg. manufacturers, trade associations, interest groups with specific concerns on public health or the environment). This information will be provided to committee members and recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
We will accept enquiries by email or phone/fax. Applications will be dealt with by post to ensure that a valid postal address is obtained for proof of identity. The closing date for completed application forms to be received is one week before the relevant meeting.
Selection of observers
The Committee meeting rooms have space for a limited number of observers and is dependent on the specific room used. Priority will be given based on the date of application to attend. In the event of oversubscription on this basis, the Secretariat will liaise with the Chairman regarding the selection of observers.
After the closing date for applications, the Secretariat will write to you with an invitation or an explanation if attendance at this meeting is not possible. The invitation will include all necessary information on Committee procedures and admission to the building.
Contributions from observers
Observers should not attempt to participate in the Committee's discussion. Observers who have submitted information to the Committee in advance of the meeting may be invited to provide further explanation or to make brief comments at the discretion of the Chairman. For further information, please refer to the Code of Conduct for observers.
Reserved business and unpublished data
Some information may not be in the public domain at the time of discussion. Whenever possible discussions will take place in open session but sometimes part or all of an item may need to be discussed in closed session as reserved business and observers will be requested to leave the meeting. Such items will generally be discussed at the beginning or end of the agenda.
Publication of agendas, papers, statements and minutes
The agenda will be published on our website before the meeting and any items of reserved business will be identified. A record of key points made by observers will be included in the minutes and the final decision on the wording of the minutes will be made by the Committee.
The draft minutes will be published on our website about two weeks after the meeting. The final version of minutes will be published when agreed by the working group at the subsequent meeting.
Code of Conduct for Chair, members, assessors and observers
Role of the Chair
The chair has overall responsibility for the conduct of committee business, providing leadership with regard to member's responsibilities, public service values, and the roles taken by observers and assessors.
Role of Committee members
Members have collective responsibility for the operation of this Committee. The Committee takes account of the full range of relevant factors to reach a collective conclusion on the subject.
Role of Departmental Advisors
Officials from Government Departments and Regulatory agencies attend committee meetings as policy advisors. Officials may also bring particular technical expertise, which may be requested by the committee on some occasions.
Role of Observers
Observers may not participate in the Committee's discussions, and should not attempt to influence individual Member’s views during the meeting, breaks or outside the meeting on topics that are under discussion. Observers may contribute only at the invitation of the Chairman. This should be brief and the Chairman will allocate the appropriate time. The Committee's discussions represent the development of its view and any comments made in developing the agreed Committee view should not be attributed to individuals. Where a subject will be considered over several meetings, observers might be asked to maintain the confidentiality of the discussion until an agreed Committee opinion is finalised. The Committee's conclusions are not finalised until completion of any necessary consultation and publication of a report.
Observers and/or organisations are required to respect the work of the Committee. Observers and/or organisations must not interfere in the work of the Secretariat, or input from external invited experts, and officials from Government Departments and Agencies in any way which, in the view of the Chairman, constitutes harassment and/or might hinder the work of the Committee. Observers and/or organisations must allow other observers and organisations to attend items free from interference before, during and after meeting.
Failure to observe this code of conduct may lead to exclusion of observers and/or organisations from meetings of the Committee.
