The notion of 'science-based' policy appeals to those favouring the idea of rational policy-making. However, 'science based' policy fails to acknowledge the different roles that 'science' and scientific knowledge plays when it comes to policy and politics. Furthermore, it also does not acknowledge the conflicts within 'science' itself. This paper focuses on what particular environmental risk, namely cattle TB in the UK. This disease represents a considerable threat to economic viability of farmers, it causes considerable animal suffering, and it has also potential implications for human health. By using an advocacy-coalition framework based approach, this paper challenges existing typologies about the relationship between 'science' and politics, and suggests how a more differentiated approach allows for a better understanding of the way in which scientific knowledge is being used in the policy-making process.
