MP raises Chinese lantern dangers at PMQs

SOUTH NORFOLK MP Richard Bacon raised the range of risks posed by Chinese lanterns at Prime Minister's Questions.

Mr Bacon told the Commons that the lanterns, which are mostly constructed from bamboo, wire and paper and act like mini hot-air balloons, pose dangers to livestock, buildings and crops.

When lanterns released into the sky in rural areas come down in farmers' fields, their wire frames can be accidentally cut into small pieces by harvesting equipment and then incorporated into animal feed such as hay and silage, potentially causing massive internal injuries to the animal. There is also a risk that the burning wick inside could start fires in crops or buildings. A number of such fires have occurred, in some cases costing farmers thousands of pounds in lost crops.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, standing in for Prime Minister David Cameron, responded that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills had been in contact with the manufacturers of the lanterns and has demanded that the lanterns in future should be 100 per cent biodegradable and should have full safety instructions with them.

Mr Bacon said: “Chinese lanterns pose a threat to farmers both because of the fire risk to standing crops when lanterns fall into fields and because the wire frames are cut into small pieces by harvesting equipment so that wire is incorporated into animal feed such as hay and silage, killing farm animals.

“I know that many people take pleasure from seeing these lanterns in the sky and nobody wants to be a killjoy, but the risks currently posed by lanterns are serious and it is good news that the Government is taking action on this issue to reduce some of the potential dangers”.

8 September 2010