100,000 back NFU sky lantern ban

More than 100,000 people have signed an NFU petition calling on the Government to ban sky lanterns across England and Wales.

The petition, which is backed by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), the RSPCA and Keep Britain Tidy, will now be sent to Defra which has commissioned research to investigate the effects of sky lanterns on the countryside.

Farmers have complained for several years that sky lanterns are highly dangerous and pose a risk to farmland and are responsible for wildfires and harming livestock and wildlife.

NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw said: Over 200,000 sky lanterns are released every year in the UK and we have heard countless examples of the harm to animals and wildlife. They cause unnecessary litter across our beautiful countryside and cause fires, putting an unnecessary strain on public safety services such as local Fire and Rescue Services.

The British public care deeply about this issue, as evidenced by more than 100,000 people who have signed and shared our petition. We are grateful for their show of support and hope that the public backing highlights the urgent need for the government to implement a ban.

According to Mr Bradshaw, 186 councils across England and Wales have already banned sky lanterns, joining countries including Austria, Germany and Brazil where they are also outlawed. Mr Bradshaw added that a change in the law would support policies launched in the recent Environmental Improvement Plan, which aim to create a safer and cleaner countryside.

He said: We look forward to continuing to support Defra on this matter and would welcome an update on the progress of the impact assessment as soon as possible.