Banning sky lanterns

The government should act now and make the use of sky lanterns illegal, that’s the message from leading farming, environment, animal and fire organisations.

The group 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 date1 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.

By enacting Section 140 of the Environmental Protection Act 19902 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.

Mark Bridgeman, Country Land & Business Association (CLA) President, said: “Put simply, there is no responsible way to use sky lanterns. Releasing a naked flame into the skies, having absolutely no control where it will fall, can pose a significant risk to livestock, wildlife, the environment, and rural businesses.

“The CLA has been campaigning for a complete ban for many years. It’s imperative that government listens to the concerns of those living in the countryside and bans sky lanterns once and for all.”

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?”

Tim Bonner, Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance, said: “Sky lanterns are a blight on the countryside and incredibly dangerous. Once released, there is no way of knowing where they will end up and all too often they end up strewn over fields, causing a major hazard for grazing livestock, not to mention the fire hazard risk they pose. It is high time their use was ended swiftly.”

Paul Hedley, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Wildfire Lead, said: "NFCC fully supports a ban. Sky lanterns have been proven to start wildfires and property fires, kill or injure livestock, as well as polluting our natural environment. They put unnecessary strain on our critical services. Our advice is simple - don’t use them."

Allison Ogden-Newton, CEO of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Although beautiful and often used for sentimental or celebratory purposes, the truth is that what goes up must come down and sky lanterns inevitably become litter. We believe that asking the government to ban sky lanterns will awaken everyone to this fact.”

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.”