Written question asked by Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative) on Monday, 1 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 June 2026. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Friday, 5 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Pheasants: Avian Influenza

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government for what reason captive bred pheasants released and managed for shooting are considered wild birds under avian influenza rules; and what plans they have to reconsult on this classification.

Answer: In the event of a confirmed case of notifiable avian disease in gamebirds, The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) makes an assessment of whether the gamebirds are considered for the purposes of disease control to be kept poultry or wild birds. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. If there is uncertainty of their status this is escalated to Defra for a final decision. Under disease control legislation “wild game bird” means a wild bird which lives freely in the wild and is hunted for human consumption.

Secondary information