Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will review the regulations governing the netting of bird nesting places in England.

There are no plans to review regulations governing the netting of bird nesting places.

The use of netting to exclude birds from potential nesting sites is justified in certain circumstances, for example when protecting crops or restricting pest species’ access to buildings. However, we all have a responsibility to our local environment and we would expect those using netting to do so only when truly necessary and in compliance with the relevant legislation.

My colleague, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has written to leading developers to remind them of their obligations in this regard, which includes existing planning practice guidance on the natural environment, and standing advice for local planning authorities to assess the impacts of development on wild birds.