Agricultural Society Speaks out on Chinese Lantern

The East of England Agricultural Society is encouraging people to think twice about releasing Chinese Lanterns as part of any celebrations this year, due to the risk they pose to both property and livestock.

The lanterns, which consist of a wire frame covered in paper, which floats by means of a lighted candle inside, have increased in popularity in the few years and are now a regular sight at celebrations and festivals across the country. However, the Society is joining with other groups, including the NFU and RNLI, urging people to think twice. The lanterns have been reported to be the cause of a number of fires, including of crops, and they have also caused the very slow and painful deaths of number of cattle who have ingested their wire.

The Society, who own the East of England Showground, will be encouraging their tenant show organisers to warn their visitors of the dangers of these lanterns. It will also be leading by example and banning Chinese Lanterns from the eight shows that it organises itself, on the Showground, including the flagship East of England Show.

Society Chief Executive, Paul Wallwork, said: ’As an Agricultural Society we have every sympathy for farmers who have suffered loss of crops or livestock because of these lanterns, and as an event organiser and venue we are in the position of being able to spread the message that they are a danger. Therefore we will seek to encourage our event organisers to warn their visitors about the risks and we will look at implementing a Showground wide ban as clause in all future event contracts.’