Chinese Lanterns prompt warning from NFU
The National Farmer's Union (NFU) has advised that revellers at Chinese New Year celebrations should refrain from the use of so-called Chinese lanterns, citing risks of fire and injury to livestock. January 23rd 2012 marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon, a particularly auspicious year in the Chinese zodiac.
NFU Rural Surveyor Louise Staples said “Our members know how these lanterns can harm or kill farm animals and they can also cause fires to thatch roofs and bales of hay and straw. We hope everyone has a wonderful Chinese New Year, which is always one of the most colourful celebrations in the calendar, but we would urge people to think twice about setting lanterns off.”
The NFU has previously called for an outright ban on Chinese lanterns, which are already illegal in Spain, Vietnam and parts of Germany. The Police, Fire Service, Coastguard and Marine Conservation Society have also expressed their concern.
NFU Scotland Livestock Policy Manager, Penny Johnston, added “As the popularity of releasing flying lanterns at parties and other events grows, the problems they can cause for farmers are becoming increasingly apparent.”
“Across the UK, there have been numerous reports of harm to livestock, and in some instances death, when lanterns have landed in farmers’ fields, and cattle have ingested the metal wires. There is a further risk to cattle when grass is cut and ensiled for winter feed, and the wire is chopped up and subsequently contained in hay or silage.”
“The lanterns also pose a fire hazard to dry standing crops, stacks of hay or straw, forestry and farm buildings, not to mention the problem of unsightly litter they cause. While injury to animals or damage to property has yet to be reported, the fear is that this is just a matter of time.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
