Policy statements and consultation responses
Applied Microbiology International frequently responds to requests from policymakers for evidence and information, working in tandem with our members and partners.
Applied Microbiology International enables microbiologists within our membership and beyond to connect with governments and parliaments, giving them a voice to help maximise the impact of microbiological research and application. To achieve this, we frequently responds to requests from policymakers for evidence and information, working in tandem with our members and partners.
2021 Policy briefings and consultations
HoL Sci Tech Nature-based Solutions Consultation
SfAM has responded to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee's Nature-based solutions for climate change inquiry.
Inquiry into Equity in the STEM workforce
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Diversity and Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) published the ‘Equity in the STEM workforce’ report following an eight-month inquiry.
RSB response to the Draft Statement on Environmental Principles
SfAM contributed to the Royal Society of Biology's response to the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) consultation on the Draft Policy Statement on Environmental Principles.
Position statement on short-term research contracts
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the plight of postdoctoral researchers. Most researchers are driven by intellectual curiosity rather than the desire for financial reward, spending years on a succession of short-term contracts, which can make a career in science an unattractive option.
RSB response to DEFRA consultation on the regulation of genetic technologies
SfAM contributed to the Royal Society of Biology's response to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)'s consultation on genetic technologies regulation.
All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM: Equity in the UK STEM workforce
SfAM has responded to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM’s inquiry into Equity in the UK STEM workforce.
2020 Policy briefings and consultations
AMI response to HoC Health & Social Care and Science & Technology Committees' Coronavirus lessons learnt
SfAM has responded to the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee's and Science and Technology Committee's inquiry into Coronavirus: lessons learnt.
AMI response to BEIS UK Research & Development Survey
SfAM has responded to the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy's (BEIS) UK Research and Development Roadmap survey.
AMI response to HoC Science and Technology Committee UK Science Capability and Influence in Global Outbreaks
SfAM has responded to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's inquiry into UK Science, Research and Technology Capability and Influence in Global Disease Outbreaks.
AMI responds to the HoL Science and Technology Committee - The Science of COVID-19 inquiry
SfAM has responded to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee's inquiry on The Science of COVID-19, which aims to help Government learn from the current pandemic and better prepare for future epidemics.
RSB response to HoC Science and Technology Committee's inquiry A New UK Funding Agency
SfAM contributed to the Royal Society of Biology's response to the Science and Technology Select Committee (Commons) inquiry into a new UK research funding agency.
Royal Society of Biology response to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Open Access Review consultation
SfAM contributed to the Royal Society of Biology's response to UKRI's Open Access Review, which sought views on its proposed open access policy for peer-reviewed research articles and academic books that result from research supported by UKRI.
2019 Policy briefings and consultations
AMI responds to the OECD’s STEM Education - A Vision for the Future survey
SfAM has responded to an invitation from Oxford University Press (OUP) to contribute to the current review of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) ahead of the forthcoming 2024 cycle.
AMI responds to DEFRA’s National Food Strategy – Call for Evidence
SfAM has responded to the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) call for evidence to inform its National Food Strategy.
AMI response to inquiry into Ageing - Science, Technology and Healthy Living
The Society for Applied Microbiology submitted written evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry into Ageing: Science, Technology and Healthy Living.
AMI response to inquiry into plastic food packaging
The Society for Applied Microbiology submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry into plastic food packaging in July 2019.
Science policy report - Food safety and food manufacturing and processing
This briefing focuses on recent and upcoming developments in food processing, food manufacture and the wider food supply chain, which will have an impact on risks related to harmful microorganisms (such as bacteria and viruses) and their toxins in foods.
AMI response to inquiry into 'no-deal' Brexit
The Society for Applied Microbiology submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee inquiry into preparations for a 'No-Deal' Brexit.
AMI proposes Parliamentary inquiry into the microbiome
The Society for Applied Microbiology responded to a House of Commons Science and Technology Committee call for new topics under the title 'My Science Inquiry'.
2018 Policy briefings and consultations
Science policy briefing - The marine microbiome
This briefing introduces the marine microbiome as a vital component of ocean biodiversity and addresses significant threats such as climate change and pollution, which may further compound the risks to human health and the environment.
Science policy report - Food safety after Brexit
In July 2018, the Society for Applied Microbiology held a roundtable discussion on the potential impacts of departing the European Union on food safety in the UK, focusing on issues related to science.
AMI response to Food Standards Agency consultation on EU Exit
The Society for Applied Microbiology responded to a consultation from the Food Standards Agency on their proposed approach to retained EU law for food and feed safety and hygiene.
AMI response to inquiry into forensic science
The Society for Applied Microbiology submitted written evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry into forensic science.
AMI and Microbiology Society response to inquiry into antimicrobial resistance
The Society for Applied Microbiology and Microbiology Society have jointly submitted written evidence to a House of Commons Health & Social Care Select Committee inquiry into antimicrobial resistance.
AMI response to inquiry into sustainable seas
The Society for Applied Microbiology submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into sustainable seas in May 2018.
Royal Society of Biology response to consultation on the future for food, farming and the environment
The Society for Applied Microbiology contributed to the Royal Society of Biology's response to the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' consultation on the future for food, farming and the environment
AMI response to inquiry into Brexit and biosecurity
The Society for Applied Microbiology has submitted written evidence to a House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee inquiry into plant and animal biosecurity after Brexit.
AMI response to inquiry into Brexit and science
Applied Microbiology International submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee request for recommendations on the next steps required by the UK Government to preserve and continue developing the UK science and innovation base after Brexit.
CaSE response to consultation on the impacts of international students in the UK
The Society for Applied Microbiology contributed to an evidence submission from the Campaign for Science and Engineering to the Migration Advisory Committee's consultation on the impact of international students in the UK
2017 Policy briefings and consultations
Royal Society of Biology response to inquiry into the life sciences industrial strategy
The Society for Applied Microbiology contributed to a response from the Royal Society of Biology to the House of Lords Science & Technology Committee inquiry into life sciences and the Industrial Strategy
SfAM response to BBSRC strategy
This document details the Society for Applied Microbiology’s (SfAM) response to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council's (BBSRC) invitation to comment on a strategy for UK biotechnology and biological sciences.
Position statement on digital sequence information and the Nagoya protocol
Applied Microbiology International (AMI) fully supports the principles behind access and benefit sharing (ABS) of genetic resources, as stipulated under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
SfAM response on digital sequence information and the Nagoya Protocol
The Society for Applied Microbiology set out its position on digital sequence information (DSI) and the Nagoya Protocol to the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Position statement on AMR
There are a number of useful approaches to mitigate the potential health, social and economic impacts of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
LeSPAR comment on the BMJ article on antibiotic course duration
The Learned Society Partnership on Antimicrobial Resistance (LeSPAR) has noted with interest the publication of a BMJ article by Llewelyn et al. on antibiotic course duration.
Royal Society of Biology response to UK Government Industrial Strategy green paper
The Society for Applied Microbiology contributed to a response from the Royal Society of Biology to the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy's consultation on the proposed Industrial Strategy.
Royal Society of Biology response to inquiry into research integrity
The Society for Applied Microbiology contributed to a response from the Royal Society of Biology to the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee inquiry into research integrity
SfAM and Microbiology Society response to inquiry into genomics
The Society for Applied Microbiology and Microbiology Society jointly submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee inquiry into genomics and genome editing in February 2017.
Position statement on equality, diversity and inclusion
AMI seeks to encourage equality, diversity and inclusion in microbiology and related disciplines, and promotes inclusive practices in support of this.
2016 Policy briefings and consultations
LeSPAR response to 2016 high level political commitment
The G7 and G20 summits and the UN General Assembly have now agreed proactive steps to ensure collaboration between nations, accepting the recommendations of the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR and the UK AMR Review.
Position statement on whole genome sequencing in clinical microbiology
Applied Microbiology (AMI) supports people working in a range of fields where there are applications of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).
SfAM response to inquiry into science communication
The Society for Applied Microbiology supplied written evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee inquiry into Science Communication in May 2016.
2015 Policy briefings and consultations
SfAM and Microbiology Society response to inquiry into Ebola
The Society for Applied Microbiology and Microbiology Society jointly submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee inquiry into science in emergencies: UK lessons from Ebola.
LeSPAR response WHO Global Action Plan on AMR
We consider that implementation of the WHO Action Plan on both a national and international level can have a positive impact on tackling the problems associated with AMR and will require the coordinated commitment of funding, expertise, and manpower.
2013 Policy briefings and consultations
SfAM response to inquiry into antimicrobial resistance
The Society for Applied Microbiology submitted written and oral evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee inquiry into antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2013.
SfAM response to inquiry into women in STEM careers
The Society for Applied Microbiology submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee inquiry into women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers in September 2013.
2011 Policy briefings and consultations
Society of Biology response to inquiry into peer review
The Society for Applied Microbiology contributed to a response from the Society of Biology to the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee inquiry into peer review.
SfAM response to FSA Forward Evidence Plan
The Society for Applied Microbiology responded to a consultation on the Food Standards Agency's proposed Forward Evidence Plan in February 2011.
2007 Policy briefings and consultations
SfAM response to Government proposal for FWE services
The Society for Applied Microbiology responded to the UK Government Health Protection Agency's (HPA) consultation document: Development of a National Network for the Delivery of Food, Water and Environmental (FW&E) Microbiology Services.
SfAM response to green paper on detection technologies in law enforcement
The Society for Applied Microbiology responded to a European Commission green paper on detection technologies in the work of the law enforcement, customs and other security authorities (COM/2006/0474).
SfAM response to the Cooksey Report
The Society for Applied Microbiology responded to the Cooksey review of health research funding in the UK.
2006 Policy briefings and consultations
SfAM response to Government guidelines on M. tuberculosis infection
The Society for Applied Microbiology responded to the UK Department of Health's proposed laboratory guidelines for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in September 2006.