NFU warn over Chinese lanterns
The public is being urged by the NFU not to use Chinese lanterns as part of Bonfire Night celebrations to avoid any unnecessary harm to livestock and to prevent any potential fires.
Chinese lanterns have a history of causing suffering to livestock and wildlife and the NFU hopes members of the public will have an enjoyable Bonfire Night without their use.
Only last month a Gloucester-based farmer made the grim discovery of a dead barn owl found trapped in a lantern. Incidents like this mean concerns over their use have been raised by fire services throughout the country, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as well as several local councils.
NFU head of food and farming Phil Hudson said: ’We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun this weekend and we hope people will have a really great, and safe, time as part of their Bonfire Night celebrations.
’We would just like everyone to think twice about using lanterns because they really can cause harm, and sometimes death, to animals as well as damage to crops and the environment.’
Following last year’s Bonfire Night, staff at Knowsley Safari Park, in Lancashire, also raised concerns after they discovered several lanterns had landed at the park.
Rachel Saunders, from the park’s research and conservation team, said: ’After the last fireworks night we discovered half a dozen wire framed lanterns in the paddock. To an elephant these would essentially be the same as snares, which could wrap around a foot or trunk and cause serious long term damage.
’The elephants and other exotic species in our care are supposed to be safe from the threat of snares, but sky lanterns create a similar problem so we hope people reconsider using them not just this weekend, but any time at all.’
The NFU has received numerous reports of harm to livestock, and in some instances death, caused by cattle ingesting the metal wires contained within the lantern frames. Lanterns can also be also be chopped up during silage and hay making leading to ingestion at a later date, while the wire can also get tangled around the animal’s feet or become embedded in its skin. The NFU is also concerned about the bamboo frame used in the construction of most lanterns, which are very durable and prone to splintering, and continues to monitor potential problems similar to those found with metal wires.
