Written questions by Braverman.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to review the requirement for digital‑only submission of licence applications and supporting documents for bird gatherings when operating under the Specific Licence.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is committed to providing a digital first but not digital only service. Accessibility is a paramount concern and one that APHA is committed to adhering to and monitoring, as per Government Digital Services requirements. Gathering organisers who need assistance can call APHA and a team will assist with completing the online application.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of bird‑gathering licensing arrangements on hobby keepers, small‑scale breeders and local bird events.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Regulation 6 of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006, as amended, sets out the legal basis for permitting gatherings of poultry or other captive birds. In England, a licence to hold a bird gathering may be granted by Defra if a veterinary risk assessment has been carried out, and if the gathering, including the movement of birds to and from it, would not significantly increase the risk of the transmission of avian influenza. Detailed risk assessments can be found on Gov.UK. As legislation requires this to be a risk-based decision, assessments of the impact to individual events, the number of events, or types of event, have not been made. Defra’s disease control measures seek to contain the number of animals that need to be culled, either for disease control purposes or to safeguard animal welfare. Our approach aims to reduce adverse impacts on the rural and wider economy, the public, rural communities and the environment (including impact on wildlife), whilst protecting public health and minimising the overall cost of any outbreak. Assessing the risk of each gathering is complex. Factors taken into account include, but are not limited to: the background risk; the origin locations of the birds; the species of birds attending; biosecurity measures; the number of birds and species; and the number of exhibitors. Gatherings, including mixed species exhibitions may be permitted, subject to licence.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Animal and Plant Health Agency on securing veterinary oversight for licensed bird gatherings.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.Defra takes a proportionate approach to veterinary input and oversight at bird gatherings. At all gatherings there is a requirement that a veterinary surgeon must be available to attend at short notice if birds show signs of ill-health or there are welfare concerns. Events held under general licence do not have any additional requirements for veterinary professionals, in line with the low risk assessed for these events.For events held under specific licence, the licence conditions will be based on the APHA’s preliminary, individual risk assessment for that application. These conditions may vary, depending on the assessed risk level of the gathering. All exotic disease prevention and control measures, including licence conditions and the need for veterinary input, are kept under regular review, and regularly discussed with APHA, as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of exotic disease.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out the process her Department takes to determine an application for a bird gathering operating under the specific licence.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. In England, bird gatherings are regulated under Regulation 6 of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006. To hold a gathering which includes birds not covered by general licence, applicants can apply for a specific licence. The specific licence application process is as follows: Applications must be made at least 20 days before the planned event.A preliminary, individual risk assessment will be completed by APHA for each application, based on the risk at the time of application. Assessing the risk of each gathering is complex. Factors taken into account include, but are not limited to: the background risk; the origin locations of the birds; the species of birds attending; biosecurity measures; the number of birds; and the number of premises.Seven days before the gathering, the risk is re-assessed, to reflect any change since the preliminary risk assessment.If the risk assessment supports this, a specific licence is issued for the gathering.

Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason Passeriformes was included under the Specific Licence effective from 8 December, 2025.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.Regulation 6 of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006, as amended, sets out the legal basis for permitting gatherings of poultry or other captive birds. In England, a licence to hold a bird gathering may be granted by Defra if a veterinary risk assessment has been carried out, and if the gathering, including the movement of birds to and from it, would not significantly increase the risk of the transmission of avian influenza. The November 2025 qualitative risk assessment assessed the overall risk of spread of avian influenza at a gathering of Passeriformes as medium. Given the heightened risk in December 2025, gatherings involving Passeriformes could not be permitted by general licence. They were therefore permitted only by specific licence, allowing case-by-case assessment and tailored risk mitigation measures.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department consulted bird keepers prior to introducing the Specific Licence on 8 December 2025.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Defra officials engaged with stakeholders during summer 2025 including show organisers, auctioneers and breed societies, to better understand achievable conditions for gatherings. Engagement was via a number of stakeholder groups which occur regularly, and a series of individual discussions with key impacted parties. This process helped to shape a set of template conditions which could mitigate the disease risk associated with some gatherings. Each gathering is subject to an individual risk assessment, which determines which set of conditions are associated with the licence issued for the gathering.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the revised bird gathering licensing regime on the long‑term viability of community bird shows and exhibitions.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Regulation 6 of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006, as amended, sets out the legal basis for permitting gatherings of poultry or other captive birds. In England, a licence to hold a bird gathering may be granted by Defra if a veterinary risk assessment has been carried out, and if the gathering, including the movement of birds to and from it, would not significantly increase the risk of the transmission of avian influenza. Detailed risk assessments can be found on Gov.UK. As legislation requires this to be a risk-based decision, assessments of the impact to individual events, the number of events, or types of event, have not been made. Defra’s disease control measures seek to contain the number of animals that need to be culled, either for disease control purposes or to safeguard animal welfare. Our approach aims to reduce adverse impacts on the rural and wider economy, the public, rural communities and the environment (including impact on wildlife), whilst protecting public health and minimising the overall cost of any outbreak. Assessing the risk of each gathering is complex. Factors taken into account include, but are not limited to: the background risk; the origin locations of the birds; the species of birds attending; biosecurity measures; the number of birds and species; and the number of exhibitors. Gatherings, including mixed species exhibitions may be permitted, subject to licence.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Animal and Plant Health Agency on the adequacy of the notice period required when applying for a specific licence and the time to communicate the decision to applicants.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. A specific licence must be applied for at least 20 days before a planned gathering. This is to allow sufficient time to undertake an individual risk assessment and to inform the gathering organiser whether in principle, the gathering could be licensed. As provisional approval is based on the risk at the time of application, the risk will need to be re-assessed within 7 days of the event, in case the risk has changed. Defra has ongoing discussions with APHA to streamline the assessment process.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to conduct a review of whether both the General and Specific Licences are proportionate, enforceable and workable for organisers of bird gatherings.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Regulation 6 of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006, as amended, sets out the legal basis for permitting gatherings of poultry or other captive birds. In England, a licence to hold a bird gathering may be granted by Defra if a veterinary risk assessment has been carried out, and if the gathering, including the movement of birds to and from it, would not significantly increase the risk of the transmission of avian influenza. Detailed risk assessments can be found on Gov.UK. As legislation requires this to be a risk-based decision, assessments of the impact to individual events, the number of events, or types of event, have not been made. Defra’s disease control measures seek to contain the number of animals that need to be culled, either for disease control purposes or to safeguard animal welfare. Our approach aims to reduce adverse impacts on the rural and wider economy, the public, rural communities and the environment (including impact on wildlife), whilst protecting public health and minimising the overall cost of any outbreak. Assessing the risk of each gathering is complex. Factors taken into account include, but are not limited to: the background risk; the origin locations of the birds; the species of birds attending; biosecurity measures; the number of birds and species; and the number of exhibitors. Gatherings, including mixed species exhibitions may be permitted, subject to licence.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has assessed the adequacy of the availability of suitably qualified veterinary professionals to support bird gatherings under revised licensing rules.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.Defra takes a proportionate approach to veterinary input and oversight at bird gatherings. At all gatherings there is a requirement that a veterinary surgeon must be available to attend at short notice if birds show signs of ill-health or there are welfare concerns. Events held under general licence do not have any additional requirements for veterinary professionals, in line with the low risk assessed for these events.For events held under specific licence, the licence conditions will be based on the APHA’s preliminary, individual risk assessment for that application. These conditions may vary, depending on the assessed risk level of the gathering. All exotic disease prevention and control measures, including licence conditions and the need for veterinary input, are kept under regular review, and regularly discussed with APHA, as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of exotic disease.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the transition from general to specific licences does not adversely impact small bird‑keeping groups.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.The decision as to whether to allow gatherings by way of a general licence is kept under regular review and is informed by qualitative risk assessment containing the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice. Where risk levels are not sufficiently low to permit gatherings by general licence, applicants can apply for a specific licence for a gathering. A preliminary, individual risk assessment will be completed for each application, and a specific licence may be granted if the gathering and the transport of birds to and from it would not significantly increase the risk of the spread of bird flu. Defra has engaged with stakeholders to understand the challenges for those applying for specific licences, including small bird-keeping groups, and regularly considers the feedback received from those applying for licences. Defra has reviewed and improved the clarity of guidance for bird gatherings on gov.uk. Defra continues to work on improving the application process for specific licences, to ensure those applying can provide all the required information for APHA to assess their application. Although general licences are now in place for poultry (except Anseriformes) and other captive birds, Defra continues to engage with stakeholders to understand achievable conditions for gatherings held under specific or general licence.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of Southern Water’s progress against RAPID requirements at Gates 2 and 3, and what steps she is taking in response to repeated findings of outstanding actions and insufficient evidence.

The Hampshire Water Transfer Water Recycling project has successfully passed RAPID gate two and gate three. Through the RAPID assessment process, RAPID and its partner regulators can set priority actions and recommendations in areas where they determine more work is needed. All priority actions and recommendations set at both gates have been completed. Any outstanding actions will be addressed through the Gate 4 assessment process.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the deliverability of the Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project within the proposed timescale.

The Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) brings together the three water regulators Ofwat, Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate. RAPID provides a robust process to scrutinise strategic water resource options and ensure they are appropriate and deliverable. This includes the Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Scheme, which passed RAPID’s Gate 3 assessment in February 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Southern Water’s appraisal of alternative water resource options in its draft Water Resources Management Plan 2024, following the plan’s rejection by regulators in 2023.

Defra is currently reviewing advice provided by regulators in respect to Southern Water’s Water Resources Management Plan and the strategic water resource options included within it. Defra will make a decision on the next steps in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the risk of pollution to the Havant Thicket Reservoir arising from treatment failures, and what steps he is taking to ensure that such risks are fully mitigated.

The Environment Agency (EA) is currently in pre‑application permit discussions with Southern Water and has advised on the evidence and data needed to support a full permit application to discharge recycled water from the advanced water treatment plant to Havant Thicket Reservoir. As part of the permitting process, the EA will assess risks to water quality from the proposed discharge and will regulate Southern Water to ensure compliance with permit conditions.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the level of customer engagement undertaken by Southern Water and Portsmouth Water on the acceptability of effluent recycling, and whether she plans to require earlier and more robust consultation.

Southern Water is due to submit its Development Consent Order application to the Planning Inspectorate for its scrutiny in May 2026. There will be further opportunity for representations to be made through any subsequent Examination in Public.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the environmental risks associated with constructing the proposed effluent recycling plant on a contaminated landfill site adjacent to Langstone Harbour SSSI.

The Environment Agency has, through its role in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure planning process, assessed potential risks of constructing the proposed water recycling plant on a former landfill. The Environment Agency considers these risks to be manageable with appropriate design and mitigation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for its designation as a best‑value solution of the increasing cost estimates for the Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project.

The Government is committed to delivering best value for customers through the water infrastructure programme, while supporting growth and ensuring a resilient water supply.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the trial plant results indicating inconsistent removal of bacteria and total dissolved solids, and what implications this has for water quality and public confidence in the proposed scheme.

Southern Water’s water recycling pilot plant was developed to provide evidence in support of, and to inform, Southern Water’s final permit application. The Environment Agency (EA) will determine what permitting standards are required for environmental protection in line with existing legislation. The EA will expect Southern Water to comply with any permit that is agreed to allow them to discharge recycled water into Havant Thicket reservoir.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of low consumer confidence in the quality of tap water on public behaviour, including increased bottled water use.

The quality of public drinking water in England is exceptionally high and among the best in the world with compliance rates of 99.97% over the last few years. According to the 2025 British Soft Drinks Association annual report, market data shows only a 3% year-on-year growth in volume of bottled waters sold for 2023-2024, as the most recent available data. This Government has also acted decisively on behalf of consumers, introducing a power in The Water (Special Measures) Act to enable the Consumer Council for Water, as the independent statutory consumer advocate for the water sector in England and Wales, to stand up Consumer Panels in every water company. These panels will help to rebuild trust in the water sector and support increased consumer confidence by creating a forum for further embedding customer views in the decision-making process.