Economic Support Working Group

About

This working group supports the application of economics to develop the robust evidence base which underpins FSA policy development; as well as enhancing our capacity in the application of regulatory and economic analysis to food regulation issues. The working group also provides an effective vehicle for establishing linkages with other organisations and experts, whose expertise is beneficial to achieving FSA outcomes in new and cutting-edge areas of economic research.  

The group are currently supporting FSA research activity around the 2024 Spending Review. The aim of which is to address significant data and evidence gaps where the FSA is unable to quantify and demonstrate the impact of its policy interventions and activities. Outputs from the research will be used to develop a business case – underpinned by the best available economic evidence and analysis. 

Members

• Spencer Henson (Chair)

• Seda Erdem

• Dan Rigby

Terms of Reference 

The main objectives of the working group are to:

Provide advice and guidance on economic analysis and guidance activities taking place under the management of the Analytics Unit.

Specifically: 

1. review the portfolio of current and planned work, identifying areas/topics where the working group can usefully add value/contribute;
2. consider what work has already been undertaken in the field of economic research pertaining to relevant areas of food safety policy and identify evidence gaps that can be addressed by further economic research;
3. provide input to appraisal panels/steering groups for specific projects or initiatives to ensure projects use appropriate economic techniques and analyse wherever applicable, before they are commissioned;
4. feed into relevant briefings, business cases (economic case), evaluations, risk assessments and impact assessments (where appropriate and time permits).  

Support the economic team keep abreast of economic research activity and developments. Specifically helping to identify:

1. external project(s) and/or programme(s) which may provide evidence in support of the Agency’s strategic objectives;
2. developments in empirical analysis approaches and analytical methods, including techniques that are being seen in other areas but have not yet been applied to food safety;
3. relevant intellectual developments in food system economics

Papers

Working group proposition

Economics Working Group Proposition (January 2022) Paper 8.6

The group last updated the wider committee  at the 12^th ACSS plenary meeting.  Please see Paper 12.5 of the 12th Open ACSS meeting