When scientific advice that will inform the Government's policy decisions becomes available to me, I put it in the public domain as a matter of policy so that everyone can see what that advice is and draw their own conclusions. I do that to inform debate. I have sent Lord Phillips' report to my French counterpart, Jean Glavany. I hope that the thorough examination that Lord Phillips undertook will help other European Union member states and others world wide better to understand this appalling condition in animals, which has implications for human health, and ways in which to get it under control and eliminate it. I thank my right hon.
Friend asks, essentially, a question about food safety.
As she will know, that is a matter for the Food Standards Agency and the Secretary of State for Health, rather than for me, although, of course, agricultural practices are a matter for my Ministry. The lead advice in that regard comes from the Food Standards Agency, and the Ministry will follow such advice. This country's public protection measures, which are very powerful, include a ban on selling any beef product derived from animals that are over 30 months. I cannot go further than that because the hon. Gentleman's question is essentially about food safety, which is now outside my ministerial responsibility.