Press Release

---

19 August 2005

New member of SEAC announced.

The appointment of Professor James Nicoll to the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) was announced today by Caroline Flint, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, on behalf of Ministers in Defra and in the devolved administrations and the Chair of the Food Standards Agency.

SEAC provides independent expert advice on all issues relating to Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) including BSE and CJD.

Professor James Nicoll is Professor of Neuropathology at the University of Southampton and Consultant Neuropathologist at Southampton General Hospital. Professor Nicoll is an expert in the field of neurodegeneration. He has considerable experience of clinical neuropathology.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Professor Nicoll has not carried out any political activity in the last five years and does not hold any other ministerial appointments.

This appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA* Code of Practice.

Notes to Editors

SEAC members are unpaid but they can claim an attendance fee of £129 per day together with associated travel and subsistence costs.

*Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments

------------------------------------------------------------------------------