May 15, 2003

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Interbull general Technical Committee (ITC)

1. Objective

   • The objective of the ITC is to identify and review technical issues that may be essential for providing a high quality service to countries participating in the international genetic evaluations. This objective is achieved via the consideration of new or improved methods that increase the efficiency and accuracy of the evaluation service, while safeguarding the transparency of the services and its acceptability by Interbull members and customers.

2. Mandate

   • 2.1 Make decisions on methodological issues that may impact evaluation results, but not strategic directions. Examples would include adoption of a proven better algorithm for parameter estimation, or phantom parent group allocation methods.
     2.2 Make recommendations to the Interbull Steering Committee (SC) on methodological issues of such importance that they may affect the service as a whole. Examples would include adding or removing traits from the evaluation, changing editing criteria, or adopting an entirely new method for genetic evaluation calculation.
     2.3 It is the responsibility of the ITC Chairperson to categorize issues as belonging to either item 2.1 or 2.2.

3. Membership

   • 3.1 The ITC shall consist of a group of 6 highly regarded scientists, actively involved with research and development in the area of international evaluations, and experienced in national genetic evaluation procedures for dairy cattle.
     3.2 The Interbull SC will appoint members for terms of three years, initially staggered with approximately equal number of members holding a 1-year, 2-year and 3-year terms to ensure continuity across years. There is no limitation on the number of terms that may be served by a particular appointed member.
     3.3 ITC members would preferably represent a broad geographical spread. However the SC would consider personal qualities (see 3.1) as more important. Integrity and independence should characterise the members of the ITC, and it is important that they do not represent their organisations but their own capacity as scientists.
     3.4 One member of the SC, with thorough technical experience in the area of national and international evaluations, will be appointed as the Chairperson of the ITC, and the Interbull Centre director as the Secretary.
     3.5 A limited number of external experts on specific issues can attend meetings and discussions of the ITC. The Chairperson of ITC has the responsibility to invite and approve attendance of external experts.

4. Operational Issues

   • 4.1 Decisions taken by the ITC in accordance with item 2.1 should be reported to the SC for information purposes and ITC recommendations in accordance with point 2.2 must be presented to the SC for approval prior to implementation.
     4.2 ITC recommendations should be accompanied by a summary of the information needed for the SC to make decisions, i.e. consequences, advantages, disadvantages, etc.
     4.3 ITC decisions and recommendations should be based on sound scientific principles, usually backed by research results, and not only on the views or experiences of the members of the ITC.
     4.4 The ITC should strive to make decisions and recommendations in consensus. However, a voting procedure may be necessary in some cases and only the six appointed members will have voting privileges, with the Chairperson having the right to cast a deciding vote, if necessary. Differences in opinion should be included in reports to the SC.
     4.5 The ITC should have the option to refer issues to an independent Scientific Advisory Committee (see below).
     4.6 The ITC is not expected to consider matters relating to the strategic direction of the service.

5. Meetings

   • 5.1 The ITC should meet at least once per year, usually in connection with the Interbull Open and Business Meetings. The SC and ITC Chairpersons should ensure that adequate time is allocated for such meetings. The meeting should normally precede the meetings of the SC.
     5.2 Additional meetings may be held if the need and opportunity arise, but all ITC members are expected to make extensive use of the Interbull discussion forums, e-mail communication, and possibly video-link conferences to create “virtual” meetings.

6. Resources

   • 6.1 The Interbull Centre operates the administration for the ITC, and covers costs associated with its meetings. However, the Interbull Centre will not cover salary or travel costs for the ITC members.
     6.2 The Interbull Centre may also perform or arrange studies and prepare reports on issues relevant to the responsibilities of the ITC. This may be done in collaboration with groups as recommended by the ITC.

7. Reporting

   • 7.1 Meetings of the ITC should have an agenda that should be distributed to the members of the ITC in advance of the ITC meeting for review. The final agenda should also be made available to the SC and to all Interbull members through the Interbull Business discussion forum prior to its meetings.
     7.2 Minutes should be kept of all meetings of the ITC and they should be distributed to the SC. The minutes should separately identify all decisions as well as recommendations to the SC.
     7.3 Decisions or recommendations taken through “virtual” meetings should likewise be summarized and communicated to the SC.

Interbull Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)

1. Objective

   • The objective of the SAC is to propose methodological developments that are needed to ensure the strategic direction, scientific soundness, and long-term progress of the Interbull services, and to act as a resource body to the ITC and SC on scientific issues.

2. Mandate

   • 2.1 Provide scientific advice on issues of strategic importance to the SC.
     2.2 Perform scientific reviews of technical reports presented to, and by request of, the ITC. Terms of reference for ITC and SAC 2 Terms of reference for ITC and SAC

3. Membership

   • 3.1 The SAC should consist of a group of 3-4 internationally highly respected, and independent, scientists knowledgeable in dairy cattle breeding.
     3.2 The Interbull SC will appoint members for terms of three years, initially staggered with approximately equal number of members holding a 1-year, 2-year and 3-year terms to ensure continuity across years. There is no limitation on the number of terms that may be served by a particular appointed member.
     3.3 One of the members should be appointed by the SC as the convener of the SAC.

4. Meetings

   • 4.1 The SAC would normally only meet “virtually” using the Interbull discussion forums, e-mail communication, and possibly video-link conferences.
     4.2 SAC members may be asked in special cases to participate in meetings with the SC and/or ITC members.

5. Resources

   • Interbull may contribute to cover costs associated with participation of SAC members in meetings together with the SC and ITC, but Interbull will not cover salary costs for the SAC members.

6. Reporting

   • 6.1 The SAC is expected to provide the SC with a report on their views on the methodological developments needed well in advance of the annual Interbull Business meeting.
     6.2 Reports on reviews of technical reports should be provided to the ITC.