Written questions

Seals: Animal Welfare

Commons · Question 102337 · Tabled 2 Jan 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 9 Jan 2026

Question

Asked by Ben Maguire

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impacts of the decision to reject JNCC's recommendations on seals' ability to rest undisturbed at haul out sites, following

Answer

Answered by Mary Creagh, 9 Jan 2026

Our grey and harbour seals face a range of threats and pressures, including potential impacts from disturbance at haul out sites. However, the best available evidence indicates that the effects of disturbance can be variable and are highly site specific a...