Following a couple of hiccups - such as not spotting BSE and the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease - the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, formerly known as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, is determined not to be caught out again. It has launched a consultation on what it should do with its £140 million research budget. As an incentive, it is offering £50 book tokens to the five most "interesting and imaginative" suggestions. Answers on a postcard, please.