Dr Matthew Heard appointed to Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment

Dr Matthew Heard from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology has been appointed to the UK Government’s Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE). ACRE is an independent advisory committee composed of leading scientific and farming experts. Its main function is to give statutory advice to ministers in the UK and Devolved Administrations on the risks to human health and the environment from the release and marketing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It also advises on the release of certain non-GM species of plants and animals that are not native to Great Britain. Dr Heard will join two other new members at ACRE meetings from October 2012. The new appointments will last three years. Professor Rosemary Hails, a current ACRE member from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, has been reappointed for a further term on the committee. All the appointments have been made following agreement by Defra ministers and the Devolved Administrations. http://www.ceh.ac.uk/news/news_archive/Matthew-Heard-ACRE-appointment_2012_44.html