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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, and with whom, about re-introducing wildcats to the English countryside.

Wildcats are currently extant in the UK, being found in parts of Scotland, and therefore the release of the species in England is not considered a reintroduction in the UK context. Due to this, no licence is required from Natural England to release them in the wild and the Government is not part of any decision to do so.

The movement and release of any species in England, including wildcats, is expected to follow the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) guidelines as best practice.

The Government has had no discussions with third parties about formal plans to release wildcats to the English countryside.

Wildcats are a European Protected Species and protected in the UK under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, which makes it offence to capture, kill, injure or disturb these animals. Licences may be granted however, for the purposes of preventing damage to livestock, foodstuffs or property, as well as in the interest of preserving public safety, health, overriding public interest or environmental concerns.