China crisis for lantern-hit farmers
As the Chinese Year of the Rabbit gets under way today the National Farmers' Union is urging revellers to think twice about releasing Chinese lanterns into the countryside – a practice which can have tragic implications for livestock and threaten crops.
NFU director of communications Erika Coghlan said: "Chinese New Year is one of the most vibrant and colourful events in the calendar and thousands of people will want to take part.
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Hide Ad"However, we really hope that people will think twice about releasing Chinese lanterns because they can cause cattle deaths and serious fires, as well being a litter nuisance."
A third of Britain's fire brigades have dealt with emergency call-outs caused by the burning paper novelties and the Civil Air Authority and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have also all reported issues with the lanterns.