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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department had with (a) rural groups and (b) the shooting sector ahead of announcing her intention to explore licensing for gamebird shoots in England.

Defra officials will begin with evidence gathering and any proposed changes will be subject to public consultation. Defra is committed to working with the sector and other stakeholder groups as this work progresses.