Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 November 2025. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 November 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Avian Influenza

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the highly pathogen avian influenza risk that released gamebirds pose to (1) wild birds outside of special protection areas, (2) poultry, (3) mammal livestock, and (4) wild mammals, in England.

Answer

Defra, in conjunction with Welsh Government and Scottish Government, commissioned a risk assessment from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), to further understand the impact game bird releases have on transmission of avian influenza in wild birds, and between wild birds and kept birds in periods of higher than usual levels of avian influenza. This risk assessment is published on gov.uk as part of the ‘Animal diseases: international and UK monitoring’ collection.

Furthermore, a risk assessment of the likely transmission of Avian Influenza from Livestock to Humans was undertaken by Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group, and concluded that the probability of infection in the UK population is considered very low.

This assessment has informed disease controls. During outbreaks, there are controls on the release of game birds in areas of known high risk. The release of game birds is not permitted in any avian influenza disease control zone, nor are game bird releases permitted while an avian influenza prevention zone, including mandatory housing measures, is in force.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL11872
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Birds Game Avian influenza
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk