The Government should act now and make the use of sky lanterns illegal – that’s the message from leading farming, environmental, animal and fire organisations.
The group, made up of 18 organisations, has written to Environment Minister Rebecca Pow to explain how the Government’s approach not to regulate sky lanterns is now significantly out of date and out of line with other countries, where the release of sky lanterns is considered an environmental crime due to the harm they cause animals, habitats and the countryside.
By enacting Section 140 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Secretary of State can prohibit or restrict the importation, use, supply or storage of injurious substances or articles, such as sky lanterns. Currently, 152 local councils have already banned the release of sky lanterns on council property, but with no national legislation, the countryside and our farms remain unprotected.
Mark Bridgeman, President of the Country Land & Business Association (CLA) which represents thousands of farmers, landowners and rural businesses across the Isle of Wight has said:
“Put simply, there is no responsible way to use sky lanterns. Releasing a naked flame into the skies, having absolutely no control where it will fall, can pose a significant risk to livestock, wildlife, the environment, and rural businesses.
“The CLA has been campaigning for a complete ban for many years. It’s imperative that government listens to the concerns of those living in the countryside and bans sky lanterns once and for all.”
Paul Hedley, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Wildfire Lead, said:
“NFCC fully supports a ban. Sky lanterns have been proven to start wildfires and property fires, kill or injure livestock, as well as polluting our natural environment. They put unnecessary strain on our critical services. Our advice is simple – don’t use them.”
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Quite agree, no need for this fire-danger over the countryside (or in towns, for that matter). Ban them.
Absolutely ban them – found one right outside my horses stables a while back… could have caused a lot of damage if it had landed on the stable.
Folk turned up to a birthday party one night and I refused to set them off – dismantled and burned myself afterwards.
A??? That makes no sense? No wonder you self harm!
Quite agree. They are a fire risk and cause litter.
So are many of the feral tax credit kept children nowadays, yet WE pay for their parents to keep adding more to our wonderful society.
Oh,Elmer fudge,you are funny,jog on mate and stop trolling,x
No,they are a bit of fun,and are biodegradable,how ever did this country win two world wars, the word pansy springs to mind, there is an army of you,? !