Women’s Food & Farming Union
Linking Producer & Consumer
July 4th 2013
Rt Honorable David Heath MP
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Dear Mr Heath
Sky/Chinese Lanterns
Thank you for a copy of the ADAS report on the level of risk associated with Sky/Chinese
lanterns and your letter dated 19th May 2013 which I received on June 19th.
You are quite correct in assuming that the WFU and all of the farming community are not
only frustrated by your reticence to take positive measures but insulted by the use of the
word “insignificant” in describing livestock loss. All farmers who have lost crops or livestock to
these lanterns are devastated by the manner of the death, injury or property damage.
WFU is however delighted that you remain concerned about the issue and would hope more
so after the extremely serious fire in Smethwick this last weekend which was clearly started
by a Sky/Chinese lantern.
Therefore WFU ask the Secretary of State to use his powers under The Environmental
Pollution Act 1990: Section 140 which clearly states:The Secretary of State may by regulations prohibit or restrict—.
(a)the importation into and the landing and unloading in the United Kingdom, .
(b)the use for any purpose, .
(c)the supply for any purpose, and .
(d)the storage of any specified substance or article if he considers it appropriate to do so for
the purpose of preventing the substance or article from causing pollution of the environment
or harm to human health or to the health of animals or plants.
WFU feel this section could easily be amended to include “and prohibit the release of objects
containing a naked flame or to leave a naked flame unattended”
This would circumvent the need for a ban, which Ministers seem averse to, but would satisfy,
Fire Service Chiefs concerned about the unnecessary burden being placed on their resources
attending to fires caused by lanterns and other affected Services and the environment .
WFU sincerely hope this suggestion is taken up as soon as possible
Kind Regards
Helen Bower
Ccs: Owen Paterson, David Cameron
WFU President: Jenny Stratford,Annetts Farm,Farringdon,Nr Alton,Hampshire GU34 3EL
Email: president@wfu.org.uk
WFU Secretary:
Sue Hawes, 3 Falcon Close, Eagle, Lincolnshire, LN6 9DX
e-mail: secretary@wfu.org.uk