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Written question asked by Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 September 2025. It was answered by Mary Creagh (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 September 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Seagulls: Urban Areas

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of urban gull populations on public (a) health and (b) safety.

Answer

The two large gull species frequently seen in urban areas are the lesser black-backed gull and herring gull. There is a long term decline in the breeding population of both, which is most acute in coastal, rural areas. At the same time as this decline, and notwithstanding that populations of these birds in towns and cities are problematic to estimate, urban populations may have increased in recent years.

Defra has not made a recent assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of urban gull populations on public health and safety. All wild birds in England, including gulls, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The law allows for certain exemptions to this protection, such as to preserve public health and safety.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
76228
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Safety Urban areas Seagulls Public health
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk