Following pressure from a number of countryside and farming lobby groups, Defra has confirmed that it will assess the impact of sky lanterns.

image expired

Sky lanterns are made from paper around a frame, they float like miniature hot air balloons when a lit candle is placed below the frame and their popularity has grown enormously in the past few years. Farming groups have asked the public to refrain from setting off the lanterns, which they say have wire frames, after a number of animals died when they ate parts of lanterns which landed in their fields.

Although former farming minister Jim Paice decided against an inquiry, new minister David Heath has backed an investigation into the lanterns. If the study finds the lanterns to be dangerous, there is a possibility they could be banned.

As well as country groups, Manchester airport has said the lanterns may pose a threat to air traffic. The probe will look at the popular products and determine their value to the economy and impact. It will aim to establish whether voluntary standards have done anything to improve development of biodegradable lanterns or ones made using wicker instead of wire. Manufacturers of lanterns claim their products no longer contain metallic parts which could be dangerous to wildlife or livestock.

Farming Minister Heath encouraged members of the public to "think carefully" before setting off lanterns and said the government will continue to look into the products as bonfire night approaches.

He said, "Defra proposes to commission an independent study to examine in detail the scale of the risks associated with the use of sky lanterns, and their impact on livestock, plants and the environment. The results of this study will help inform any future Government action."

Tweet