Thanks to Helen for this timely reminder. Ed
With the combines now rolling across the fields for this year’s harvest, the CLA is appealing to the public not to release sky lanterns.
The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and other rural businesses, fears that standing crops and straw stacks will be at risk because of an expected upsurge in lantern sales and use fuelled by the holiday and wedding seasons.
CLA Director Isle of Wight Belinda Walters said:
“We don’t want to spoil people’s fun, but people should be aware that these lanterns are serious fire hazards. They also endanger the lives of grazing livestock as well as other wildlife, and create unnecessary litter.
“Releasing a naked flame with absolutely no control over where it will land poses a serious threat to rural businesses, wildlife and the environment. If one of these flying bonfires were to land in a tinder dry field or on a straw stack then the farmer could be facing a very costly blaze that would not only endanger the business, but potentially human lives too.
“There is also the real threat the remnants of the lantern could be cut up and end up in silage eaten by cattle, which would cause the unfortunate animal to suffer a slow and agonising death.”
Push for nationwide ban
While many local authorities have decided to ban lanterns from being sold or released from their land and property, the Government has not yet ordered a ban. However, in safety advice issued ahead of Bonfire Night last year, it acknowledged lanterns “can kill animals, litter the countryside and start fires”.
Belinda Walters added:
“The CLA continues to push for a total, nationwide ban on the use of sky lanterns. The campaign has momentum and the CLA will be continuing its work lobbying for a Parliamentary Debate in order to have the issue brought back into the national spotlight.”
CLA South East is looking to collect evidence of damage caused by sky lanterns to take to Government. Those who have experienced problems with them falling on their land or property should contact the CLA on 01264 313434 or address tweets to @CLASouthEast.
Image: jirka_matousek under CC BY 2.0
