The UK Parliament's Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee published the report of an Inquiry on Open Access in September 2013 (plus a second volume of evidence), followed by a UK Government response. This adds to the development of UK policy outlined in a post earlier in 2013:
House of Commons Library briefing on UK context and policy development on Shale Gas and Fracking
The UK House of Commons Library has produced a note on Reversing Pollinator Declines - a useful summary.
The UK parliament's House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has announced an inquiry on Scientific Infrastructure. In summary, the key questions are.../
The UK parliament's House of Commons Select Committee on International Development has published the report of an inquiry on Global Food Security, linked to the G8-linked UK/Brazil event on 8 June - Nutrition for Growth. The inquiry report is a high level review covering: more.../
with some reference to climate change. A low emphasis on genetic resources, ecosystem approaches - passing reference to GMOs and ground waters but nothing significant on new crops or wild relatives, pests, disease resistance, soils or more complex views of water security.
The UK parliament's House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology has published a report on Higher Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The policy emphasis of the report is on supply and quality of graduates from UK universities and employer demand: there is significant concern that supply is insufficient for future needs.
UK House of Commons debated Rio +20 on 28 February - a follow up to the earlier Environmental Audit Committee report and government response
The UK Parliament's House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has produced a report on the role of UK government departments' Chief Scientific Advisers.
The UK Parliament's Commons Science and Techology select committee is conducting an inquiry on science and international development. Written evidence is available on the inquiry page.
The UK Parliament Commons Environmental Audit Committee has produced a report and written evidence on UK preparations for the Rio +20 meeting in 2012. Emphasis on stimulating discussion on the UK lead up to Rio, and the major issues for the summit - the green economy and the institutional framework for sustainable development. The UN preparatory process is ongoing, with the results of discussion and consultation on probable outcomes likely early next year.
