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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of ring-fenced parakeets on other native wildlife.

Defra has assessed the impact of ring-necked parakeets on native bird species. In 2021, Defra commissioned the Animal and Plant Health Agency to review the scientific evidence underpinning the General Licences authorising the control of wild birds in England.

There is sufficient evidence of an impact of ring-necked parakeets on wild birds and other fauna of conservation concern to warrant their inclusion as a target species on the General Licence to kill or take wild birds for conservation purposes. This impact is largely due to competition for nest sites with native cavity-nesting birds and aggressive attacks on bats.

Individuals do not need to apply for a General Licence but if carrying out lethal control under a General Licence then they must comply with the conditions set out in the licence.