Avian Influenza: Disease Control
(asked on 10th June 2026) - View Source
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
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.
Answered by
Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This question was answered on 16th June 2026
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.