UK DEFRA

HPAI Outbreak Assessment, Great Britain and Europe, April 2026

DEFRA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency published an updated High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak assessment covering Great Britain and Europe as of April 10, 2026. The assessment includes risk evaluations for bird fairs, shows, markets, sales, and other gatherings, as well as updated data on H5Nx detections in dairy cattle. Multiple risk assessment documents are available covering the period from February through April 2026.

Biodiversity Net Gain Exemption for Brownfield Residential Development

DEFRA is consulting on a potential exemption from biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements for certain residential developments on brownfield land in England. The consultation seeks views on whether an exemption should be introduced, what size thresholds should apply, and how brownfield residential development should be defined. The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 10 June 2026.

Biodiversity Net Gain for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects - Consultation Outcome

DEFRA has published the outcome of its consultation on implementing biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), receiving 10,403 responses including 10,143 from an RSPB campaign. The government confirmed it will implement a mandatory BNG framework for NSIPs from November 2026, requiring major infrastructure developments to leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before development.

Biodiversity Net Gain Minor Medium Brownfield Development Outcome

DEFRA has published the outcome of its consultation on improving Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) implementation for minor, medium and brownfield development. The consultation received 25,024 responses including campaign submissions from Wildlife Trust and RSPB. The government will introduce secondary legislation in 2026 to implement the proposed changes while the current BNG requirement remains in force. Developers should continue following existing BNG guidance and legislation.

333 Cases of Bluetongue Reported in Great Britain During 2025-2026 Season

DEFRA and APHA report 333 total bluetongue cases in Great Britain during the 2025-2026 season (since 1 July 2025), comprising 310 cases in England and 23 cases in Wales, with no cases in Scotland. Cases include multiple serotypes: BTV-3 (dominant), BTV-8, and co-infections. Latest confirmed cases involve calves born with neurological signs including blindness, star gazing, and convulsions.