CLA urges bonfire night organisers to ban sky lanterns

Nicola Currie shows off the ban sky lanterns T-shirt with Jono Dixon

The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) is once again urging local authorities, community groups and private individuals staging Bonfire Night displays not to release sky lanterns.

The organisation, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, is also asking organisers to consider banning lanterns from their venues completely, in order to prevent spectators from releasing them.

CLA President Ross Murray said: “We don’t want to spoil people’s fun, but these lanterns are bad news. They pose a fire risk and can be fatal for animals.

“Releasing a naked flame with absolutely no control over where it will land is a serious threat to rural businesses, livestock, wildlife and the environment. It also creates unnecessary litter.

“With the support of England’s national parks and an increasing number of local authorities banning the release of lanterns from council-owned land, we hope the Government will take note of a growing desire to see the use of these flying bonfires banned outright.”

CLA North Director Dorothy Fairburn said: “While Bonfire Night offers a chance for people to enjoy themselves at one of the many organised displays across the region, we would like them to do this without releasing sky lanterns.

“There is simply no responsible way to use them. They can kill animals, litter the countryside and start fires.

“The CLA has been campaigning for a total ban for a number of years, and will continue to do so for the sake of farming, wildlife, the environment and property owners everywhere.”