Our campaigning work on sky lanterns so far

November 2023

The NFU calls for urgency from Defra to publish the research findings on the impacts of sky lanterns.

January 2023

Our petition reaches more than 100,000 signatures as more members of the public become concerned with the harmful impact of sky lanterns. 100,000 signatures is recognised by Parliament as a significant milestone.

November 2022

We wrote to Environment Minister Trudy Harrison MP to ask for a national ban on sky lanterns. In a positive step forward, Defra has now commissioned further research into sky lanterns and their impact to clarify the case for a total ban. NFU members – read the letter in full.

July 2022

Our petition reaches more than 50,000 signatures as members of the public call on the government to follow the lead of 185 local councils and introduce a ban.

May 2022

NFU launches petition calling for a total ban of sky lanterns in England and Wales.

January 2022

Coalition meets Jo Churchill MP, Environment Minister for Defra. She commits to commission research on the risks of sky lanterns and disposable barbecues.

July 2021

Coalition of organisations writes to Rebecca Pow MP, Under Secretary of State for Defra, calling for a national ban.

December 2019

NFU launches campaign to urge people to email their council to ban sky lanterns on land it owns. To date 174 councils out of 333 have banned them in England and Wales.

March 2019

Labour MP Ruth George introduces Ten Minute Rule Bill to prohibit the use of sky lanterns in England. It did not progress.