Plea not to release lanterns

esidents in Perth and Kinross have been warned that releasing sky lanterns this weekend could cause devastating fires in rural areas and put pressure on emergency services.

A mass release of lanterns is being promoted on social media to pay tribute to those on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.

But following a call from the Scottish Farmers Union (NFU) for the lanterns to be banned, a Perthshire politician has now called on the plan to be shelved.

Mark Ruskell, a Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said:“I share the overwhelming desire to demonstrate our thanks to key workers, but creating more risk of wildfires is not how to do it.

“Apart from anything else, our emergency services need to be focused on our public health crisis, not protecting our food supply and farm animals from sky lanterns.

“We’ve had dry weather, so the risk from a mass release of these things is greater than ever.

“The best way to support our emergency services is to stay home and stay safe.

“Moving forward, these products cause litter, wildfires, and injury to animals and should be banned.”

NFU president Andrew McCornick branded the promotion of the lantern idea by some companies “unbelievable and totally unacceptable”.

He added:“The wildfire danger assessment in Scotland for the coming days is extreme; land, buildings and property will also be placed at risk by these items and animal health will be compromised should they land on farms.

“This must be stopped, and we call on all those we have written to rally behind a call to have the release of Chinese lanterns banned.’’