Warning over Chinese lantern danger

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has been urged to take action against the growing use of Chinese lanterns which have been blamed for killing and maiming farm animals.

The lanterns, which have been used during celebrations like Chinese New Year for thousands of years, are becoming increasingly popular at events such as birthday parties and weddings.

Made of paper and metal, they are able to float in the sky for miles thanks to their light weight and the heat generated by a candle inside.

But Tory Richard Bacon (S Norfolk) said they were a fire risk and their metal components were finding their way into animal feed.

"Chinese lanterns pose a threat to farmers both because of the fire risk to standing crops when lanterns fall into fields and because the wire frames are cut into small pieces by harvesting equipment so that wire is incorporated into animal feed such as hay and silage, which kills farm animals.

"What steps will the Government consider to reduce risks in this area?"

Mr Clegg, standing in for David Cameron at Prime Minister's Questions, said: "Everybody who lives and works in rural areas knows this is an issue which is causing a great deal of distress to farmers and their livestock.

"We have been looking at ways in which we can reduce the risks posed by these lanterns, whilst not wishing to ban them completely."

He said the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills was contacting the manufacturers of the lanterns and "demanding that they should in future be 100% biodegradable".