The NFU is stepping up its fight against Chinese lanterns by alerting wedding and events venues across the region to the potential hazards.
Regional livestock adviser Alex Butler-Zagni has written to more than 100 venues to inform them about the problems and to ask them not to use lanterns.
The letters were sent in the week when south Norfolk MP Richard Bacon raised the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, with deputy PM Nick Clegg acknowledging that there are serious concerns about lanterns.
Mr Butler-Zagni said: “The letter outlines our concerns about the use of Chinese lanterns, including the fire risk and the real danger the wire they contain could be chopped into small pieces and incorporated into animal feed. This would lead to a slow and painful death for any livestock ingesting the wire.
“We are asking the venues to support local farmers, their livestock and local wildlife by not releasing the lanterns from their venues in future.
“In just a few days we’ve had an encouraging response, with a number of venues confirming they have already banned Chinese lanterns and voicing support for our campaign.”
Venues with a ban include Otley Hall, Ipswich, Stoke-by-Nayland Hotel, Essex, Wrest Park at Silsoe, Bedfordshire, Cley Windmill in Norfolk and Yaxley Hall, Yaxley, Suffolk.
One events organiser wrote: “I totally agree with your sentiments and it is vitally important that the general public fully understand the implications of setting off these lanterns in the countryside. Good luck with the campaign.”
In September’s British Farmer & Grower, we reported how one livestock farmer found 27 lanterns in his crops, including maize, at Fundenhall, Norfolk.
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