Farmers across the country have urged members of the public to boycott plans to light dangerous sky lanterns in solidarity with UK National Health Service employees.
The National Firefighters Council (NFCC) also warned that the campaign was erroneous.
The launch of sky lanterns is prohibited in the following countries: Spain, USA, Germany, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil.
“The NFCC believes that the suggestion that people should light flammable lights when the chance of fires increasing due to weather conditions should be extremely discouraged.”- said the representative.
“Lanterns are fire hazardous and pose a danger to livestock, agriculture, straw and hazardous materials. Nearly 90 local authorities throughout the UK have banned their use. ”- he added.
In 2013, a fire in the West Midlands caused by a lantern required 39 fire engines and more than 200 firefighters to fight in a few days.
The National Farmers Union said it announced its concerns to the company behind the event, a London-based lamp manufacturer.
A representative of the farmers union said: “Although this initiative may be well-intentioned to raise money for doctors, flashlights pose a serious fire risk and danger to animals that could swallow litter”.
- Delegates from the American sheep industry will visit the UK next week to dispel myths and better understand the field of sheep farming.
- Treasury Chancellor Sajid Javid allocated £ 3 billion to farmers in 2020-2021 to help them after Brexit. The funds, which will be distributed over two years, are used to support farmers when the UK leaves the European Union and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) direct payment scheme.
- In connection with the start of the state visit of US President Donald Trump on June 3, the National Union of Farmers of Great Britain (NFU) called on the government not to “betray” British agriculture in future trade deals.
