Sky lanterns set to be extinguished
RELEASING sky lanterns and helium balloons from any land or properties owned by Argyll and Bute council will soon be illegal.
The motion to ban the practice was approved at a recent council meeting amid fears for the safety of grazing livestock and in a bid to protect the countryside.
Sky lanterns are small hot-air balloons, typically made of paper and wires, which contain a lighted candle allowing them to be released into the air.
Traditionally, they are used in Asian countries during festivals or simply for fun, but in recent years they have become more popular in the UK.
However, they can pose a serious threat to farm animals and other wildlife should they ingest the fine wires used in the lanterns’ construction, which could lead to possible fatalities. There are also risks to livestock due to the fact that when grass is cut, the wire can become chopped up and contained within hay or silage which is then used to feed sheep or cattle.
If the lit lanterns land near standing crops, stacks of hay or straw, or farm buildings, there is also a massive risk of fire.
The decision makes Argyll and Bute council the 11th Scottish local authority to enforce the ban, with more set to follow suit as momentum grows nationally.
South Kintyre councillor and Kintyre Agricultural Society secretary John Armour said: ‘I share all of the concerns which led to the council ban.
‘No-one wants to spoil anyone’s enjoyment, but until the safety concerns around sky lanterns are addressed, the ban needs to be in place.’
NFU Scotland urges all councils in Scotland to consider putting a ban in place and, although their release cannot be prohibited on private land, it asks members of the public to avoid the use of lanterns everywhere.
John Dickson, Argyll and Islands regional board chairman for NFU Scotland said in a statement: ‘Sky lanterns are seemingly innocent devices and are beautiful to look at, but they can cause untold damage as there is no control over where these burning structures of paper, metal and wood decide to land.’