Spanish sky lantern ban should be matched in UK says MP

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the ban on sky lanterns in Spain and urges the Government to move faster to control the damage done each year to wildlife and farm animals by unsafe sky lanterns.

Chinese Sky Lanterns have gained a foothold in the UK market in recent years, but a huge increase in poor quality products has wreaked havoc on the countryside, damaging property, wildlife and crops. Farmers’ livelihoods are suffering as sheep, cattle and horses are injured or even killed by eating the wire frames of unsafe lanterns.

Farron has previously pushed for the Government to enforce rules that require distributors to follow General Product Safety Regulations, but the Government is now under greater pressure to act following the announcement that the Spanish have enforced a blanket ban on the products.

Commenting, Farron said: “I am bemused that while Spain has gone so far as to ban the lanterns completely, our Government has not yet taken even the simple step of ensuring that the products are made safely.

These lanterns are a spectacular sight to enjoy but many people don’t realise the harm they can do. The UK needs to follow the Spanish example and consider prohibiting sky lanterns in order to protect wildlife and farm animals. At the very least we must make sure they are made from biodegradable materials that won’t maim our livestock.”