Petition · past parliament · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Moratorium on release of game birds for shooting to limit spread of bird flu
Closed
46 signatures
What the petition asks
To help limit the catastrophic spread of avian influenza, call an immediate moratorium on the release of captive bred gamebirds and mallards for shooting in the UK this year. Take a precautionary approach to limit the spread of avian influenza and reduce the risk of new strains of the disease.
Every year over 40 million Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges and 2.6 million Mallard ducks are reared in captivity and then released into the UK countryside to be shot for sport.
Since 2021 there have been 10 outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in gamebird rearing premises. One in Scotland, five in England and four in Wales.
Defra’s statistics on HPAI in wild birds show 70 positive tests in Pheasants in 2022 from August to December, with a peak occurring in October.
Since 2021 there have been 10 outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in gamebird rearing premises. One in Scotland, five in England and four in Wales.
Defra’s statistics on HPAI in wild birds show 70 positive tests in Pheasants in 2022 from August to December, with a peak occurring in October.
Timeline
| 26 May 2023 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 26 Nov 2023 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
46
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened
26 May 2023
Closed
26 Nov 2023
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.