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Written question asked by Matt Vickers (Conservative) on Thursday, 22 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 January 2026. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Friday, 30 January 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Birds: Licensing

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the evidential basis is for the introduction of separate licensing regimes for (a) psittaciformes and (b) poultry and passerines.

Answer

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

The most recently published qualitative 2025 risk assessment (November 2025) sets out the overall risk of transmission of avian influenza associated with gatherings for each order of birds. The overall risk associated with psittaciformes is assessed as low, whereas the overall risk associated with poultry (galliformes) or passerines is assessed as medium.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
107786
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Birds Licensing Poultry Parrots
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk