Barroso’s science adviser still looking to contribute to EU

Professor Anne Glover, the former EU Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) appointed by José Manuel Barroso, has told a UK news programme of the mixed reception she received during her time in Brussels.

Glover made the comments during her first extensive interview after leaving the post last month. Speaking to the BBC News programme HARDtalk, she said she experienced opposition from some established members of European Commission staff to a role that was judged to have been “parachuted in”.

She said: “Many people in the Commission felt there was suitable and sufficient scientific advice which was available … many commissioners would have felt they had a role which was important and that they should give scientific advice. But I think there was a misunderstanding of the role.”

She described a division amongst staff, as she was welcomed by some, whilst others questioned the need for a CSA. Glover argued more could have been accomplished if “people had been more open to the possibilities that my role would give to the Commission in strengthening and making more transparent how scientific advice or evidence is used to underpin policy”.

Speaking about the future of the CSA role, Glover said she had asked to meet new Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker or a member of his team, but never got a response. She added that it was up to him to decide the future nature of independent scientific advice for his Presidency.

“There is no doubt the European Commission needs, or indeed wants, scientific advice or evidence on which to base its policy,” she stated. “I was an experiment by the outgoing European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and the new President, Jean-Claude Juncker, now has to decide how he will get that independent scientific advice underpins policy.”

Despite reports she had been sacked or that the role had been axed, the Commission press office has said that the position had come to a natural conclusion, with Glover agreeing that the position was “tied” to the Barroso Presidency and was “appointed to his presidency only”.

“Juncker has not made his decision on how he wants independent scientific advice delivered, so it is possible that he may think the CSA is a useful model,” Glover added. “I have had three fantastic years at the Commission, working with great people and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I am a committed European so any help I can provide, I want to do that.”

You can view the whole programme here in the UK only.