New coalition urges national sky lantern ban
1st June 2021
The message from leading farming, environment, animal and fire organisations is that the government should act now to make the use of sky lanterns illegal.
Image source : IMGUR
Sky lanterns may look pretty, but they pose a serious threat to animals and the countryside.
The new alliance 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Minister Rebecca Pow to explain how the Government’s approach not to regulate sky lanterns is now significantly out of date and out of line with other countries, where the release of sky lanterns is considered an environmental crime due to the harm they cause animals, habitats and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.
NFU deputy president Stuart Roberts said: “The global community is already recognising the dangers of sky lanterns. Countries like Australia, Brazil, and Germany already have national bans, and we must join them.
“This is a simple but incredibly effective and impactful step the government can take towards a safer, cleaner and greener rural Britain. We wouldn’t light a naked flame in our home and walk away, so why would we send one into the air with no idea whose home or habitat it could eventually destroy?”
Perhaps you recall the devastating fire at a zoo in Germany back in January 2020? A sky lantern was responsible for the deaths of more than 30 animals. This fire led to the eventual ban currently in effect across Germany.
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. 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.
RSPCA animal welfare expert Dr Mark Kennedy said: “Though sky lanterns might look pretty in the sky, they pose a serious danger to horses, farm animals and wildlife.
“Sadly, many people are unaware of the potentially deadly consequences the release of sky lanterns can have for animals. Not only are they a serious fire hazard but the RSPCA has had reports of suffering animals through ingestion, entanglement and entrapment, or simply the sight of a lit lantern in the sky causing terrified animals to bolt and harm themselves.
“We know many people are already aware of the dangers sky lanterns pose to animals and we are pleased to work in coalition with the National Farmers Union and others to raise awareness within the UK government of our concerns.”
