Science and policy in times of multicrisis and dissent: Issues of framing, authority, evidence and political-economic decision making
ENSSER (including CSS representatives) discussed 11 recommendations on science – policy relationship with EU Representatives at Round Table in Brussels, 24 March 2026
Many scientists claim that their evidence and conclusions are not heard by policy makers, while policy makers often claim that their policies and actions are “science-based”. At the heart of this paradox lies a Gordian knot of relationships between science and politics, in which industrial interests and scientific advisors to policy makers play a crucial role.
In an effort to clear up and untie this knot of relationships, the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) addressed Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and representatives of the European Commission with the results of its conference “Science and policy: Issues of framing, authority, evidence and political-economic decision making”. These results were documented in a nine page report which was presented at a Round Table in the European Parliament in Brussels on 24 March 2026. Eleven recommendations (attached below) for improving the science – policy relationship were presented by ENSSER. MEPs of three political groups and representatives of the EC Directorates General AGRI, ENVI and SANTE reacted to the report, which was then discussed with the other participants. One of the major scientific advisory institutes of the EU, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), despite multiple requests, neither took part in the Round Table nor reacted to the report.
The discussions in the Round Table included strong criticism regarding the unacceptable abandonment of the Precautionary Principle in ongoing legislative propositions, e.g. the planned deregulation of NGT1[4] plants and the proposal “Food and feed safety simplification omnibus”.