Sky lanterns pose Bonfire Night danger
Farm minister David Heath has urged the public to think twice before releasing Chinese lanterns during Bonfire Night celebrations.
Although sky lanterns are increasingly popular during celebrations, they can travel miles before coming down and the burnt-out remains of lanterns can injure livestock and litter the area where they fall.
Mr Heath said: “These lanterns look spectacular in the sky but when they come down in rural areas they can cause real damage to animals and the surrounding land.
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“We all enjoy Bonfire Night celebrations – but I want people to be aware of the potential impact of sky lanterns and consider alternatives, particularly while we investigate their true impact on animals and the environment.”
The government has launched an independent study to assess the risks sky lanterns pose to livestock, crops and the environment and to see what could be done to address concerns that people have about them.
The investigation will find out what effect sky lanterns are having on farming and the environment.
“Chinese lanterns may look pretty in the sky, but the devastation that they can cause is untold.”
Helen Bower, the Women’s Food and Farming Union
Mr Heath added: “Given the concerns being raised about sky lanterns, I want to find out as much as possible about their impact – especially the ways other countries have dealt with them – to make sure we can make sure we can all enjoy bonfire night and other celebrations safely.”
Helen Bower, of the Women’s Food and Farming Union, said: “Chinese lanterns may look pretty in the sky, but the devastation that they can cause is untold.
“As an organisation we are extremely grateful to David Heath for launching an inquiry into Chinese lanterns and we hope that in the very near future they will be banned.”
If a Chinese lantern lands on your farm over the coming days, take a picture and email it, along with your contact details, to jonathan.riley@rbi.co.uk so we can collect evidence of the problems they can cause to farmers and their stock
DEFRA to assess Chinese lantern risk to farms