BETTER late than never is a phrase which seems oddly appropriate when applied to British farming at the moment.
Public warned over threat of Chinese lanterns
THE general public have been warned that Chinese lanterns pose a threat to human and animal life ahead of Halloween and the festive season.
Many farmers would like to see a ban on Chinese lanterns, which have been known to injure livestock and cause fires in the countryside.
South West MEP Julie Girling has called on the public to ‘exercise caution’ when using them over the coming months.
She said: “Chinese lanterns are increasingly popular at festivals, weddings and other celebrations such as Halloween, but they are a huge risk to animals, the environment and householders.
“After floating for many miles the burnt-out remains can hurt livestock and litter fields. Farmers have reported sheep, cattle and horses being injured, and in some cases dying, from eating the burnt out metal wire frames.
“It is only a matter of time before someone loses their life through being caught in a fire caused by a lantern. Please, think before you release these lanterns.”
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Readers' comments (9)
Peter Dyson | 23 October 2012 2:24 pm
Sir, Chinese lanterns should be banned, if one lands near a barn the whole lot of straw and hay will go up and also loss of a barn, just at the start of winter.
On the other hand there are fuel garages just as vulnerable to these flaming lanterns landing wherever, there is no control of them.
The other case to ban these lanterns are if they are let off near airports they could distract the pilot and cause a major incident.
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Anonymous | 23 October 2012 2:55 pm
I agree 100% with the above comments - come on NFU get these lanterns banned before more serious harm is done.
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Anonymous | 23 October 2012 3:07 pm
NFU ?! come on, when did they ever get their arses in gear to do anything useful ?
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Anonymous | 23 October 2012 4:09 pm
See who is doing something about these flying fireballs www.wfu.org.uk
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Jackie Boyer | 23 October 2012 4:14 pm
Haybarns may be burnt and animals injured or killed, but action will only be seen when they come down on someone's expensive, listed, thatched cottage! As usual, landowners' complaints are being totally ignored. While we're about it, perhaps someone should look at the problem we seem to have with helium filled balloons.
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m james | 23 October 2012 5:03 pm
Litter laws are in place and NOT used.
Not unlike animal protection laws which has lead to badgers being super-gods.
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Anonymous | 23 October 2012 8:23 pm
I agree that helium balloons and lanterns should be banned. They are sold knowingly that they will be released and litter the countryside and towns which is a criminal offence.
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Anonymous | 23 October 2012 8:51 pm
If more NFU leaders and MPs had seen cows dieing in agony over a period of a few days due to internal injuries caused by wire framed lanterns then something WOULD be done about it, it's cruel , heartbreaking and very expensive.
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Anonymous | 23 October 2012 11:23 pm
I have a proposed Bill in the Ballot for the National Assembly for Wales to ban chinese lanterns and mass balloon releases not only out of animal welfare concerns, but also impact on marine wildlife
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