NFU Think Twice - don't release Chinese lanterns this summer

The NFU is urging people not to release Chinese lanterns at summer celebrations, following the driest spring on record in the South East and East Anglia.

With the party season underway, the trade association is warning people that the flying lanterns can cause fires, kill farm animals and litter the countryside.

NFU South East spokeswoman Isobel Bretherton says: “We’re asking people to think twice and decide against releasing Chinese lanterns. They may look attractive but they often land on farmland, with potentially disastrous results.”
She explains: “The wire frame of lanterns can accidentally be eaten by farm animals, particularly cattle, causing slow, agonising deaths. Animals can be injured when they get entangled in the wire or bamboo-frames.
“This summer, the risk of fire is greater than ever and Chinese lanterns pose a serious threat when they land in farmyards and fields. A fire now could leave a farmer without any winter feed for animals or facing an income shortfall if crops go up in smoke. It is well known that they caused serious crop fires last summer,” adds Ms Bretherton.

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) shares the NFU’s concern about the fire risk that Chinese lanterns pose.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Martin Clark, Chairman of the CFOA National Prevention Committee, says: “We have seen the devastating effects that fires can have on the economy and the beauty of our local areas. Although Chinese lanterns can look spectacular, once airborne they cannot be controlled. The recent forest fire in Berkshire is a reminder of how destructive fires can be.”

Chinese lanterns have been banned in countries including Germany, Australia and parts of New Zealand.

The NFU remains committed to persuading people against releasing Chinese lanterns (sky lanterns). And this summer it is redoubling its efforts to advise the owners of party venues, holiday parks and the wider public not to release lanterns with its ‘Think Twice’ campaign.

The NFU has continued to provide evidence of the problem to Defra and BIS.

Notes To Editors:
If you wish to interview an NFU representative about the problem of Chinese lanterns on their farm, please contact
NFU SE PR Officer Isobel Bretherton Tel: 01730 711956/07778 002617.
NFU East Anglia PR Officer Brian Finnerty Tel: 01638 672125.
FCOA press office Jackie Findlay Tel: 01827 302300.
High resolution images of the Think Twice public information materials, flying lanterns & a lantern among cattle are available from isobel.bretherton@nfu.org.uk Follow this link to see the Think Twice campaign flyer or this link to see design of fridge magnet giveaway http://www.flickr.com/photos/45211192@N07/


Chinese lanterns can reach heights of 1200ft and float for several miles before coming back down to earth. In March 2010, the NFU teamed up with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to raise awareness of the problems caused by Chinese lanterns which can be mistaken for distress flares. Watch the MCA/NFU podcast here - http://www.mcapodcasts.co.uk/podcast/index.htm http://www.youtube.com/officialcoastguard#p/u/22/GmUJfcqJh5c

NFU South East, Unit 8, Rotherbrook Court, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 3QG Telephone: 01730 711950 ISDN: 01730 266023 Http://www.nfuonline.com
The NFU is the voice of British farming and provides professional representation and services to its farmer and grower members.

Chief Fire Officers’ Association http://www.cfoa.org.uk/