SOMERSET MP CALLS FOR ACTION ON CHINESE LANTERNS

6.02.54pm GMT Thu 4th Feb 2010

Somerset MP, David Heath today called in Parliament for action to make Chinese Lanterns safe to livestock and wildlife. Speaking at Questions to DEFRA ministers, David drew attention to the growing trend to set off Chinese lanterns, which are carried by convection currents across the countryside. The lanterns contain a metal wire in their construction which, if it is chopped up into hay or silage can cause harm to cattle and other livestock.

Mr Heath said: "This is a growing trend in our part of the world, particularly at the open air festivals like Glastonbury, and I can well understand the attractions. The illuminated paper lanterns look spectacularly beautiful against the night sky. Unfortunately, the problem comes when they land in fields which are subsequently mown and as a result we get fragments of wire in animal feed-stuffs.

I certainly don't want to be a kill joy, and I certainly don't want to ban them, but I hope the government will take action to ensure they are made in such a way as to avoid the metal wire and replace it with something biodegradable. I gather a lot of these are imported from China, and safe alternatives do exist. It would be far better for the safety of animals if they were the ones that people used from choice."