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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the exemptions included in the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 relating to organised outdoor sports on species at risk of extinction.

The Government has exempted over 30 types of sport, exercise and physical activity such as football, rugby and other outdoor pursuits from the gatherings limit. Outdoor activity is safer from a transmission perspective, and it is often easier to social distance. Just as it did before the coronavirus outbreak, the government recognises it is vital that wildlife and habitats are respected and protected, and we ensure a sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship between outdoor sports and conservation.