Petition calls for Chinese lantern ban

A petition to the UK Government to ban the release of balloons and Chinese lanterns has attracted more than 7,000 signatures.

It is the latest in a string of calls to tighten legislation on the lanterns, which can float for miles and have been known to injure livestock and cause fires when they land.

A number of local authorities, including Angus, Perth and Kinross and Fife, have already banned them at their own events and under certain other circumstances.

Rural organisation Scottish Land and Estates has backed calls to ban the items and NFU Scotland welcomed the petition, describing the issue as a “persistent problem”.

Policy manager Penny Johnstone said: “The union issued its most recent call for emergency services, local authorities and politicians to support a complete ban on the reckless release of Chinese sky lanterns in April.

“The petition looks specifically at the wildfires and environmental threat posed by these dangerous items. That is a huge issue for Scotland.”

Earlier this year, the SSPCA also spoke out and warned of the “devastating impact” they can have on animals.

It said it was aware of examples where farm animals have been killed or injured by swallowing fragments of lanterns.

Public petitions to the UK Government receive a response if it reaches 10,000 signatures, and if it attracts 100,000 signatures it is considered for a debate in parliament.