Call for end to “irresponsible” sky lantern plan
Inverclyde Council has joined forces with the NFU Scotland to discourage people from supporting key workers using sky lanterns.
In 2016 Inverclyde Council became one of the first councils in Scotland to ban the use of sky lanterns, sometimes also called Chinese lanterns, on council-owned sites because of concerns about the danger to the environment and wildlife.
Now, the council is backing a call from NFU Scotland, after a social media campaign launched encouraging people to show support for key workers by using sky lanterns
Inverclyde Council Leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: “The campaigns supporting key workers and the NHS are extremely positive and wholly worthwhile so long as people do not put themselves or anyone else in any danger.
“The flying of sky lanterns is a real danger to the environment and to wildlife and we would encourage people to find another way to show your support for key workers across Scotland.
“Encouraging this behaviour is entirely inappropriate and irresponsible and we would call on people to join the Thursday 8pm show of national unity and appreciation of the NHS, carers and all key workers who are supporting our community through this pandemic”
NFU Scotland’s Regional Chairman Willie Harper, a farmer at Houston, said: “It is unbelievable and totally unacceptable that companies are encouraging the public to demonstrate support for our hardworking frontline services by something that is at a high risk of increasing the burden on them.
“The Wildfire Danger Assessment for the whole of Scotland, including Inverclyde, for the coming days is extreme; land, buildings and property will also be placed at risk by these items and animal health will be compromised should they land on farms.
“This must be stopped, and we welcome the positive engagement of local authorities like Inverclyde who have supported previous calls to have the release of Chinese lanterns banned.
“There are many safe ways to thank our front-line workers, such clapping, music and colourful rainbows in their windows.
“At this critical time, support for those in the frontline is best achieved by following Government advice, staying home, keeping safe, not undertaking any non-essential work or travel and by not engaging in any unnecessary activity that might potentially place any additional burden on our emergency services.”
Chinese or sky lanterns are believed to have caused a deadly zoo fire on New Year's Eve earlier this year in Germany. The blaze killed more than 30 animals, including rare apes and monkeys, in the western city of Krefeld.
Link to BBC article about the Krefeld fire in Germany: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50971250 (cut and paste or see link on page)
NFU Scotland: Link to articles from 2016 about Inverclyde Council sky lantern ban: https://www.nfus.org.uk/news/news/councils-applauded-banning-sky-lanterns (cut and paste or see link on page)