BASC has joined leading rural organisations in thanking Ruth George MP for her efforts in seeking a sky lantern ban in England.
In a joint letter, the organisations have outlined that the lanterns pose a significant threat to moorland landscapes, agricultural land, livestock and wildlife.
The letter also highlights how wildfires last summer caused significant damage on the High Peak, Saddleworth Moor and Winter Hill.
Caroline Bedell, BASC’s executive director of conservation, said: “BASC is pleased to be one of a number of organisations thanking Ruth George for introducing a Ten Minute Rule Bill to prohibit the use of sky lanterns.
“Sky lanterns pose a significant risk to wildlife and to landscapes and it is important to make these issues as widely known as possible.”
[learn_more caption=”Click here to read the letter”]
Dear Mrs George,
We would like to place on record our sincere thanks for your introduction of a Ten Minute Rule Bill to prohibit the use of Sky Lanterns in England.
As you rightly identified in your speech to the House on March 27th, Sky Lanterns pose a significant threat to our moorland landscapes, agricultural land, livestock and wildlife.
In light of the widespread damage caused by wildfire incidents in the High Peak and beyond, including at Saddleworth and Winter Hill last summer, we wholeheartedly support your efforts to remove these unacceptable wildfire ignition sources from sale. They have been proved to be the catalyst for wildfires and other avoidable incidents.
A range of countryside organisations wrote to the Government after last year’s large wildfires requesting a strategic update to wildfire response protocols and a joined-up Government response in efforts to mitigate future wildfire risk. A ban on Sky Lanterns was an integral part of our asks to Government.
It is very encouraging to see that the NFU, RSPCA, Peak District National Park and Derbyshire Fire Service are already supporting the Bill.
We the undersigned and the organisations we represent fully support your efforts to ban Sky Lanterns in England and would be happy to assist you in any way you saw fit in mobilising a coalition of MPs to support your initiative.
If our organisations can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We would be delighted to help.
Yours sincerely,
Amanda Anderson, Director, Moorland Association
Liam Bell, Chairman, National Gamekeepers Organisation
Tim Bonner, Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance
Caroline Bedell, Executive Director of Conservation, British Association for Shooting and Conservation
Anne Gray, Director, Heather Trust
Tim Breitmeyer, President, Country Land and Business Association
George Dunn, Chief Executive, Tenant Farmers Association
Phil Stocker, Chief Executive, National Sheep Association
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