Scientific Steering Committee and Panels
The committee has 114 members divided into a main committee and 13 specialist groups. The members collectively possess broad interdisciplinary expertise. They are professionally independent and participate by virtue of their expertise. They do not represent the institution they are employed by or other interests.
The members of VKM have expertise in the fields of biophysics, biotechnology, botany, nutrition, evolutionary biology, pharmacology, human medicine/biology, soil science, chemistry, climate and meteorology, marine biology and limnology, food science, microbiology, mycology, plant science, toxicology and environmental science, veterinary medicine, zoology, and ecology.
Here you will find an overview of the members in the various specialist groups, risk assessments, and the agenda and minutes from the meetings of the specialist groups.
The Scientific Steering Committee discusses guidelines and principles for the work in VKM, coordinates risk assessments that are being developed in more than one panel, and finalizes the most extensive risk assessments.
Animal Feed
The panel carries out risk assessments concerning feed for animals on land and in water.
Animal health and welfare
The Panel assesses risks of infectious diseases that may threaten animal health, and summarises knowledge related to unfavourable production or living conditions for animals.
Biodiversity
The Panel assesses whether the import, release, and keeping of non-native organisms may pose a risk to biodiversity in Norway. They also evaluate other factors that may affect biodiversity.
Biological Hazards
The Panel assesses the risk that various pathogens in food (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and prions) may pose to public health.
CITES
The main task of the Panel is to assess whether international trade in endangered and vulnerable species listed under the CITES convention is detrimental to the continued survival of these species.
Contaminants
The Panel assesses the risk of environmental toxins and other contaminants, process-induced substances, natural toxins, and residues of veterinary and human medicinal products in food and drink..jpg)
Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids, Materials in Contact with Food and Cosmetics
The Panel's areas of work include additives, flavorings, and processing aids, packaging, materials and objects in contact with food and drinking water, chemicals used in water treatment, and residues of cleaning and disinfecting agents, as well as cosmetics.
Genetically Modified Organisms-Medicinal Products
The Panel assesses environmental risks from using medicinal products that contain or consist of genetically modified organisms.
Genetically Modified Organisms
The Panel performs health and environmental risk assessments of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
Microbial Ecology
The panel assesses the environmental risk when releasing/importing micro-organisms
Nutrition, Dietetic Products, Novel Food, and Allergy
The Panel assesses benefits and risks in the fields of human nutrition, dietetic products and allergies. The group also conducts systematic reviews and assesses the benefits and risks related to diet, specific foods or food groups, nutrients, fortification, and dietary supplements.
Plant Health
The Panel prepares independent scientific risk assessments of plant pests which can threat en plant health in Norway.
