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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the forthcoming poultry growth strategy will support a transition away from intensive animal agriculture towards prioritising animal welfare, environmental and public health.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the forthcoming poultry growth strategy will support a transition away from intensive animal agriculture towards prioritising animal welfare, environmental and public health.
The Poultry Sector Growth Plan is being developed by industry, with Government acting as a convenor and supporting the process. It is intended to identify how the sector can improve productivity, profitability and resilience while operating within the UK's environmental, planning, animal welfare and regulatory framework. Any proposals emerging from the plan would continue to be subject to existing planning, environmental and regulatory requirements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (a) what consideration was given to farming staff, particularly growers, when amending the national living ways increases, (b) what steps is her Department taking to give growers the confidence to invest in their businesses, and (c) can she...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (a) what consideration was given to farming staff, particularly growers, when amending the national living ways increases, (b) what steps is her Department taking to give growers the confidence to invest in their businesses, and (c) can she...
The Low Pay Commission provides recommendations to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade on the National Living Wage. It considers evidence from farmers, worker’s representatives and other employers when assessing the impact of National Living Wage increases on business costs, competitiveness, employment and the wider labour market.
The Farming Roadmap sets out a clear plan to 2050 and the practical steps to be taken in partnership with the industry. The Sector Growth Plans being developed by sector experts, starting with horticulture and poultry, will add further detail and should boost business confidence to invest.
The 2027 Seasonal Worker visa allocations for the horticulture sector was confirmed this month as 41,000 - the same as 2026. This timely announcement gives growers and operators good time to plan for the year ahead. The poultry allocation in 2027 will be 1,900 in line with sector needs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the answer of 20 July 2026 to Question UIN HL1988, what the results were of the commercial in-ovo sexing trial which took place last year in a UK hatchery.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the answer of 20 July 2026 to Question UIN HL1988, what the results were of the commercial in-ovo sexing trial which took place last year in a UK hatchery.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of fast-growing broiler chicken breeds compared with slower-growing breeds on welfare; and whether she plans to develop a pathway to phase out the use of fast-growing breeds in favour...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of fast-growing broiler chicken breeds compared with slower-growing breeds on welfare; and whether she plans to develop a pathway to phase out the use of fast-growing breeds in favour...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has measures in place to help ensure poultry farms are reliably supplied with power in the event of an electricity shortage.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has measures in place to help ensure poultry farms are reliably supplied with power in the event of an electricity shortage.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to restrict the importation of Brazilian beef and chicken.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to restrict the importation of Brazilian beef and chicken.
Defra is working as quickly as possible to assess Brazilian production systems to ensure that beef and chicken from animals treated with certain antimicrobial products are not exported to Great Britain and is keeping trade restrictions under review. The assessment will include an urgent in-country audit. Sanitary and phytosanitary trade measures must be evidence-based and proportionate in line with World Trade Organization rules.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will consider introducing mandatory restrictions if voluntary measures to move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds do not deliver adequate improvements in animal welfare.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will consider introducing mandatory restrictions if voluntary measures to move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds do not deliver adequate improvements in animal welfare.
The Government will continue supporting voluntary efforts to move away from the use of fast-growing meat chicken breeds and is not currently considering a ban on these breeds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what targets and timescales her Department plans to use to assess progress towards a voluntary move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what targets and timescales her Department plans to use to assess progress towards a voluntary move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds.
As stated in the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government supports voluntary efforts to move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds. Whilst no specific timescale has been set, the Government aims to progress the commitments in the Strategy by 2030.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in what way the Animal Welfare Committee’s advice on breeding will inform the assessment of targets and timescales on a voluntary move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in what way the Animal Welfare Committee’s advice on breeding will inform the assessment of targets and timescales on a voluntary move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds.
The Government will draw upon the wide-ranging advice within the Animal Welfare Committee’s recent report on livestock breeding in all upcoming work. The report did not however provide an in-depth assessment of the welfare status of fast-growing breeds of meat chickens.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC (a) holds or (b) has at any time held, a copy of the Revenue Commissioners’ report entitled Operation of the Flat‑Rate Addition Scheme for Farmers in the Poultry Industry, published July 2019.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC (a) holds or (b) has at any time held, a copy of the Revenue Commissioners’ report entitled Operation of the Flat‑Rate Addition Scheme for Farmers in the Poultry Industry, published July 2019.
HMRC is not aware of holding, or ever having held, a copy of the Revenue Commissioners’ report entitled Operation of the Flat‑Rate Addition Scheme for Farmers in the Poultry Industry, published July 2019.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her department has made of the scale of the use of fast-growing chicken breeds in the UK, both in terms of UK farming and UK retail sales.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her department has made of the scale of the use of fast-growing chicken breeds in the UK, both in terms of UK farming and UK retail sales.
Current estimates are that around 95% of meat chickens in the UK are fast growing breeds. The Department has not assessed the scale of the use of fast-growing chicken breeds in the UK in terms of UK retail sales.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what further legislative actions her Department is considering to mandate or ban the use of specific breeds of chicken in UK farming.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what further legislative actions her Department is considering to mandate or ban the use of specific breeds of chicken in UK farming.
There are currently no plans to mandate or ban the use of specific breeds of chicken. As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, the government is considering how it can support voluntary efforts to move away from the use of fast-growing meat chicken breeds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of differences in animal welfare and meat quality between UK-grown chickens and imported chicken meat sold in the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of differences in animal welfare and meat quality between UK-grown chickens and imported chicken meat sold in the UK.
As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, the government is considering how we can support voluntary efforts to move away from the use of fast-growing meat chicken breeds. The Department has not made such assessments of comparison between UK-grown chickens and chickens reared abroad.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of UK-grown chickens in comparison with those farmed in other countries, particularly with regards to 1) animal welfare, 2) animal lifespan and premature mortality, and 3) food quality implications for humans on...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of UK-grown chickens in comparison with those farmed in other countries, particularly with regards to 1) animal welfare, 2) animal lifespan and premature mortality, and 3) food quality implications for humans on...
As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, the government is considering how we can support voluntary efforts to move away from the use of fast-growing meat chicken breeds. The Department has not made such assessments of comparison between UK-grown chickens and chickens reared abroad.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure the poultry growth plan (a) takes into account the pollution in water reduction proposals and (b) aims to improve chicken welfare.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure the poultry growth plan (a) takes into account the pollution in water reduction proposals and (b) aims to improve chicken welfare.
The Poultry Sector Growth Plan is being developed by industry, supported by the Government, to identify opportunities for the sector to improve its productivity and profitability. There is clear demand for high quality, domestically produced chicken meat and eggs. The plan will identify ways that enable our domestic poultry sector to meet this challenge sustainably and in line with key government policies such as the Animal Welfare Strategy, Farming Roadmap and Environmental Improvement Plan 2025. In doing so we will be strengthening our national food security whilst balancing broader environmental, animal welfare and food security objectives.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is her timeline for ending the culling of male chicks in the egg industry.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is her timeline for ending the culling of male chicks in the egg industry.
The Government wishes to encourage the egg industry to end the practice of killing day-old chicks but no timeline for the transition has been established.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what data the Department holds on mortality, lameness and culling rates in conventional broiler flocks in England in each of the last five years; and what steps the Department is taking to reduce the routine prophylactic use of...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what data the Department holds on mortality, lameness and culling rates in conventional broiler flocks in England in each of the last five years; and what steps the Department is taking to reduce the routine prophylactic use of...
The Government does not hold such data on lameness and culling rates in conventional broiler flocks in England. The government receives data from the Food Standards Agency on Cumulative Daily Mortality Rates (CDMR) for broiler chickens.
The Average Yearly CDMR was 3.57% in 2020, 3.65% in 2021, 3.76% in 2022, 3.53% in 2023, 3.39% in 2024, 3.38% in 2025. The figure for 2023 represents the period of 1 April to 31 December, this is the only Average Yearly CDMR data that the government holds for that year.
The Government is committed to reducing unnecessary use of antibiotics in animals while safeguarding animal welfare. The Veterinary Medicines Regulations prohibit the routine use of antibiotics to compensate for inadequate husbandry, management or biosecurity, and restrict prophylactic antibiotic use to exceptional circumstances only, under veterinary oversight and subject to additional legal requirements. We continue to work closely with the poultry sector to promote high standards of biosecurity, disease prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the report Sustainable Alternatives to Culled Chicks as Captive Raptor and Reptile Feed published by the Vegetarian Society UK on 4 June 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the report Sustainable Alternatives to Culled Chicks as Captive Raptor and Reptile Feed published by the Vegetarian Society UK on 4 June 2026.
This Government will consider the Vegetarian Society UK’s report on alternative feed sources for raptors and reptiles as part of its work to work towards seeing an end the practice of culling male laying hen chicks.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likely impact of the EU ban from 3 September on imports of Brazilian beef and chicken on (1) the volume of imports into the UK, (2) returns to British farmers, and (3) antimicrobial resistance.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likely impact of the EU ban from 3 September on imports of Brazilian beef and chicken on (1) the volume of imports into the UK, (2) returns to British farmers, and (3) antimicrobial resistance.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of large intensive chicken farms on human health, environmental standards, and animal welfare.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of large intensive chicken farms on human health, environmental standards, and animal welfare.
The Environment Agency assesses the environmental risk through the assessment of environmental permits to protect habitats from air pollution, and compliance with regulations to protect land and water. Measures are checked through regular compliance inspections.
There are a number of different farming systems in use in England and farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture. All farms, regardless of size and type of production system, must comply with comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting animal health and welfare. The Government remains firmly committed to improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. Ministers recently met with several representatives of various farming sectors to discuss the Animal Welfare Strategy. This outlines the Government’s plans to improve farm animal welfare including through transitioning away from intensive confinement systems such as cages or crates.
Ammonia from poultry farms contributes to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution concentrations across the country. The precise contribution is difficult to assess and will vary according to the prevailing weather conditions and other sources of PM2.5. Long term exposure to fine particulate matter is associated with a number of serious health conditions. Intensive poultry farms with a capacity of 40,000 poultry places or more require a permit under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, to control their emissions into the environment.
Where animal welfare is impacted by farming practices, this can lead to increased health risks to humans through either the food chain, direct animal contact or through environmental contamination. For gastrointestinal disease this can occur through increased shedding of human pathogens where animals are at heightened stress, such as Salmonella spp and Campylobacter spp. Increased shedding of bacteria can also increase the risk antimicrobial resistance can spread.
Any individual exposed to positive detections of HPAI in poultry will be managed according to UKHSA’s public health guidance. Guidance for the management of people exposed to birds or other animals infected with influenza A(H5) - GOV.UK (copy attached).
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to enforce the commitment made in the Animal welfare strategy for England, published on 22 December 2025, to end the culling of male chicks in the egg industry.
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to enforce the commitment made in the Animal welfare strategy for England, published on 22 December 2025, to end the culling of male chicks in the egg industry.
As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, this Government would like to see an end to the practice of culling male chicks. The Government is monitoring the rapid progress currently being made with in-ovo sexing and has funded research into the use of dual breed chickens that remove the need to kill male chicks.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to end the use of fast-growing broiler chicken breeds in UK poultry production.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to end the use of fast-growing broiler chicken breeds in UK poultry production.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 March 2026 to the hon. Member for Stockport, PQ UIN 118907.
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the UK egg industry about implementing a trial of in-ovo sexing technology to prevent the culling of male chicks; and when they anticipate such a trial to take place.
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the UK egg industry about implementing a trial of in-ovo sexing technology to prevent the culling of male chicks; and when they anticipate such a trial to take place.
A commercial in-ovo sexing system was trialed at a UK hatchery last year to help the egg industry understand the logistics of in-ovo sexing. This Government will engage with the egg industry and technology companies on this issue.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of intensive factory farming of chickens, and whether there are plans to further regulate this sector with regards to animal welfare.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of intensive factory farming of chickens, and whether there are plans to further regulate this sector with regards to animal welfare.
All farms, regardless of size and type of production system, must comply with legislation on animal health and welfare. The Government remains firmly committed to improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. The Animal Welfare Strategy outlines government’s plans to improve farm animal welfare including through transitioning away from intensive confinement systems such as cages and encourage efforts to move away from fast-growing meat chicken breeds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Court of Appeal ruling in December 2024 on the welfare of fast-growing chickens.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Court of Appeal ruling in December 2024 on the welfare of fast-growing chickens.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14 July 2026 to the hon. Member for North Devon, PQ UIN 17121.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of compliance with animal welfare standards in commercial poultry production.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of compliance with animal welfare standards in commercial poultry production.
The Government remains firmly committed to maintaining high animal welfare standards. Compliance with animal welfare standards is monitored by Defra’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) who conduct inspections to check that animal welfare standards are being met. Further details of results of inspections and trigger report analysis is published in the MANCP report which details findings from previous years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the risk of increased imports of lower-welfare eggs following domestic reforms to housing systems for laying hens.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the risk of increased imports of lower-welfare eggs following domestic reforms to housing systems for laying hens.
The Government has carried out an assessment and, as part of the recent consultation on laying hen cage reform, sought views on that assessment. The consultation also sought additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports. We are now analysing the consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.
This Government will always consider whether overseas goods benefit from an unfair advantage and any impact on UK producers. Where necessary, the Government will use the full range of powers at the Government’s disposal, including permanent quotas, exclusions and safeguards.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether Government plans to introduce measures to prevent the import of a) eggs, b) liquid eggs and c) powdered eggs produced in systems that are banned in the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether Government plans to introduce measures to prevent the import of a) eggs, b) liquid eggs and c) powdered eggs produced in systems that are banned in the UK.
The Government has carried out an assessment and, as part of the recent consultation on laying hen cage reform, sought views on that assessment. The consultation also sought additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports. We are now analysing the consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.
This Government will always consider whether overseas goods benefit from an unfair advantage and any impact on UK producers. Where necessary, the Government will use the full range of powers at the Government’s disposal, including permanent quotas, exclusions and safeguards.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps will be taken to ensure that imports of eggs, liquid eggs and powdered eggs meet UK animal welfare standards, in the context of any phase-out of caged systems domestically.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps will be taken to ensure that imports of eggs, liquid eggs and powdered eggs meet UK animal welfare standards, in the context of any phase-out of caged systems domestically.
The Government has carried out an assessment and, as part of the recent consultation on laying hen cage reform, sought views on that assessment. The consultation also sought additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports. We are now analysing the consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.
This Government will always consider whether overseas goods benefit from an unfair advantage and any impact on UK producers. Where necessary, the Government will use the full range of powers at the Government’s disposal, including permanent quotas, exclusions and safeguards.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government will publish the findings of its consultation on a proposed ban on keeping a) laying hens, b) pullets and c) breeder layers in cages.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government will publish the findings of its consultation on a proposed ban on keeping a) laying hens, b) pullets and c) breeder layers in cages.
A UK-wide consultation on laying hen cage reform was launched on 12 January 2026 and closed on 9 March 2026. The Government is now analysing consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support will be made available from Government to support a transition away from enriched cages.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support will be made available from Government to support a transition away from enriched cages.
Under the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, eligible poultry keepers have had access to capital grants to support the transition away from enriched cages. The Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant, which closed to final applications on 28 April 2026, provides funding contributions towards infrastructure projects for commercial laying hen and pullet keepers in England to refurbish or replace housing, including for those moving from colony cages to high-welfare non-cage systems. Additionally, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, which closed its fourth and final round on 12 May this year, offered grants up to £25,000 for equipment and technology to support higher welfare production. We continue to work with industry and wider stakeholders on how the Pathway can encourage cage free systems of farming.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether further supported welfare improvements for laying hens will be incorporated into the UK Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether further supported welfare improvements for laying hens will be incorporated into the UK Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.
Under the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, eligible poultry keepers have had access to capital grants to improve welfare in laying hens. The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, which closed its fourth and final round on 12 May this year, has offered grants up to £25,000 for equipment and technology to support higher welfare production. Earlier this year, we also announced funding to deliver on-farm Poultry Biosecurity Reviews, which launched on 2 June 2026, to build resilience against Avian Influenza and other threats. We continue to work with industry on how the Pathway can support high standards of animal welfare including simplifying and rationalising any grant funding from 2027 onwards.
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect day-zero egg sexing technologies to be commercially available to the UK egg industry.
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect day-zero egg sexing technologies to be commercially available to the UK egg industry.
The Government recognises the benefits of day-zero sexing technology and will engage with technology companies and the egg industry to fully understand the merits of all systems and when they may become commercially available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his department plans to take in response to the consultation on the use of cages and crates for laying hens which closed on 9 March 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his department plans to take in response to the consultation on the use of cages and crates for laying hens which closed on 9 March 2026.
The Government is analysing consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to providing financial support for the introduction of egg sexing technologies to help prevent the culling of male chicks in the egg industry.
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to providing financial support for the introduction of egg sexing technologies to help prevent the culling of male chicks in the egg industry.
As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy for England (see attached), this Government is committed to encouraging industry to end the practice of male chick culling. While there are no current plans to provide direct financial support for the introduction of egg sexing technologies, Defra has funded research into dual breed chicken use which removes the need to kill male chicks.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether further supported welfare improvements for laying hens will be incorporated into the UK Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether further supported welfare improvements for laying hens will be incorporated into the UK Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.
Under the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, eligible poultry keepers have had access to capital grants to improve welfare in laying hens. The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, which closed its final round on 12 May, offered grants up to £25,000 for equipment and technology for higher welfare production. Earlier this year, Defra announced funding to deliver on-farm Poultry Biosecurity Reviews, expected to launch summer 2026, to build resilience against Avian Influenza and other threats. Defra continues to work with industry on how the Pathway can support high standards of animal welfare including simplifying and rationalising any grant funding from 2027 onwards.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need to regulate captive-reared mallard releases to reduce the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza to (1) wild birds, and (2) poultry.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need to regulate captive-reared mallard releases to reduce the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza to (1) wild birds, and (2) poultry.
A 2024 Natural England risk review [see attached] concluded that there is a very high likelihood that captive-reared mallards will be exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 after release. Once exposed, there is a very high likelihood of widespread morbidity and mortality in wild birds. The review concludes that captive-reared juvenile mallards have potential to act as both a reservoir and amplifier of H5N1 and to play a major role in H5N1’s continued persistence and dissemination.
The release of captive-reared mallards is already prohibited in Protection Zones, Surveillance Zone and Captive Bird Monitoring Controlled Zones. Releases are also prohibited in Avian Influenza Prevention Zones with housing measures.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether a habitats regulations assessment has been carried out for the release of mallards into Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation, given the risks of highly pathogenic avian influenza they present to wild birds.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether a habitats regulations assessment has been carried out for the release of mallards into Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation, given the risks of highly pathogenic avian influenza they present to wild birds.
Defra is not aware that a habitats regulations assessment (HRA) has been carried out for the release of Mallards (for shooting) on Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in England.
To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the Natural England report The risks from H5N1 to wild birds from captive-reared mallard, published on 24 June 2024, what assessment they have made of the need to regulate captive-reared mallard releases to reduce high pathogenicity avian influenza risk to (1) wild birds, and...
To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the Natural England report The risks from H5N1 to wild birds from captive-reared mallard, published on 24 June 2024, what assessment they have made of the need to regulate captive-reared mallard releases to reduce high pathogenicity avian influenza risk to (1) wild birds, and...
This Government is considering the available evidence on the impacts of gamebird and mallard release and shooting in England, including Natural England’s report The risks from H5N1 to wild birds from captive-reared mallard, published on 24 June 2024. This Government will also engage with the sector and other stakeholder groups as this work progresses. This work is helping to inform consideration of whether further measures, including licensing, may be needed in relation to the release of captive-reared birds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of a) market conditions and b) input costs for the poultry sector.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of a) market conditions and b) input costs for the poultry sector.
The Government continues to work closely with all livestock sectors as they face higher input costs particularly for fuel, energy, and fertiliser.
At the March 2026 meeting of the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG), Defra and the Devolved Governments decided to closely monitor the price and availability of these key inputs in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The UKAMMG monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade, and recent developments including international conflicts and extended unfavourable weather. The Group meets monthly, enabling it to provide forewarning of any atypical market movements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the commercial viability of 'day-zero' systems where genetically edited breeding hens ensure only female layer chicks hatch, eliminating the need for male chick culling in the egg industry.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the commercial viability of 'day-zero' systems where genetically edited breeding hens ensure only female layer chicks hatch, eliminating the need for male chick culling in the egg industry.
As stated in the recently published Animal Welfare Strategy Defra will encourage industry to end the practice of culling male laying hen chicks. In recent years there has been rapid global progress in a range of technologies that could help end the routine culling of male chicks by identifying or determining the sex of chick embryos before hatching as set out in the Animal Welfare Committee’s ‘Opinion on alternatives to culling newly hatched chicks in the egg and poultry industries’. Whilst ‘day-zero’ systems are not yet commercially viable, Defra continues to follow developments in the space closely.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had discussions with animal welfare organisations on the potential merits of prohibiting the import of eggs produced using caged systems for laying hens.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had discussions with animal welfare organisations on the potential merits of prohibiting the import of eggs produced using caged systems for laying hens.
The Department has had wide ranging discussions with animal welfare organisations and other stakeholders on laying hen cage reform, including conversations relating to egg imports.
As set out in the UK’s trade strategy, the Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage. Where necessary, the Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at the Government’s disposal to protect the UK’s most sensitive sectors.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will bring forward legislation to ban the use of enriched cages for laying hens.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will bring forward legislation to ban the use of enriched cages for laying hens.
A UK-wide consultation on laying hen cage reform was launched on 12 January 2026 and closed on 9 March 2026. The Government is carefully analysing the consultation responses, and the next steps will be announced when the analysis is completed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his plan for a Poultry Sector Growth Plan, what assessment he has made of the potential health risks of air pollution linked to ammonia emissions from poultry facilities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his plan for a Poultry Sector Growth Plan, what assessment he has made of the potential health risks of air pollution linked to ammonia emissions from poultry facilities.
Ammonia from poultry farms contributes to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution concentrations across the country. The precise contribution is difficult to assess and will vary according to the prevailing weather conditions and other sources of PM2.5. Long term exposure to fine particulate matter is associated with a number of serious health conditions. Intensive poultry farms with a capacity of 40,000 poultry places or more require a permit under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, to control their emissions into the environment.
To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of those releasing gamebirds under licence in England on (1) special areas of conservation, and (2) special protection areas, or within 500 metres of their boundaries, have registered their birds on the poultry register.
To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of those releasing gamebirds under licence in England on (1) special areas of conservation, and (2) special protection areas, or within 500 metres of their boundaries, have registered their birds on the poultry register.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) can identify the number of gamebird locations recorded on the poultry register within Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and within 500 metres of their boundaries. However, this Government does not hold details of those releasing gamebirds under licence in a form that allows the percentage requested to be calculated.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made for the implications for her policies of recent bans on male chick culling in (a) Germany, (b) France and (c) Austria.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made for the implications for her policies of recent bans on male chick culling in (a) Germany, (b) France and (c) Austria.
The Government is aware of the strong public feeling on the culling of male chicks. The Animal Welfare Strategy for England, published in December 2025, sets out that the Government would like to see an end to the practice of killing day-old chicks and is committed to encouraging industry to end the practice. The Government pays close attention to international precedent when formulating its policies.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with The Humane League UK on the banning of cages for laying hens.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with The Humane League UK on the banning of cages for laying hens.
The Department has had wide ranging discussions with animal welfare organisations and other stakeholders on the banning of cages for laying hens.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the British Veterinary Association's press release entitled British Veterinary Association calls for an end to all cages for laying hens, published on 27 April 2026, whether her Department has made an assessment of recent research...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the British Veterinary Association's press release entitled British Veterinary Association calls for an end to all cages for laying hens, published on 27 April 2026, whether her Department has made an assessment of recent research...
The Department continues to consider the latest scientific research and evidence to improve the welfare of farmed animals, including laying hens. A UK-wide consultation, on a proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages, closed on 9 March 2026. The Government is now analysing consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of Ukraine's implementation of improvements to animal welfare standards for livestock, including a ban on battery cages.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of Ukraine's implementation of improvements to animal welfare standards for livestock, including a ban on battery cages.
Under the Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine, tariffs on all goods are temporarily removed until March 2029, except for poultry and eggs, where the liberalisation is due to end on 31 March 2028.
The Government has consistently raised the importance of animal welfare standards with the Ukrainian Government, which has assured that all Ukrainian companies currently exporting animal products to the UK fully comply with existing EU animal welfare requirements, including the ban on battery cages for laying hens as set out in Directive 1999/74/EC.
Ukraine is making steps to improve its animal welfare standards. As of 1 January 2026, new welfare standards for livestock were introduced in Ukraine, including on the implementation of a ban on battery cages, and improving housing and treatment for livestock.
The UK will continue to engage with Ukraine on the implementation of improvements to production standards.