NFU Scotland has welcomed a county-wide ban for the use of helium balloons and sky lantern releases at public events by Angus Council.
It is understood that four councils have the ban in place in Scotland, and the Union is calling on more councils to follow suit.
The impact of Chinese lanterns, in particular, can be detrimental for farmers. Not impacting on livestock but also posing a fire hazard to dry standing crops, stacks of hay or straw, forestry and farm buildings.
NFU Scotland’s Animal Health and Welfare Policy Manager Penny Johnston commented: “These seemingly innocent devices are beautiful to look at but can cause untold damage as we rarely know where they land. Across the UK, there have been numerous reports of harm to livestock, and in some instances death, when lanterns have landed in farmers’ fields, and cattle have ingested the metal wires.
“There is a further risk to cattle when grass is cut and ensiled for winter feed, and the wire is chopped up and subsequently contained in hay or silage. We welcome this move by Angus Council, however we would ask other local authorities to implement a ban on the release of sky lanterns.”
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