Calls to ban disposable barbecues in England and Wales over wildfire risk
Lib Dems and many Labour MPs join farmers, landowners and firefighters in urging temporary prohibition Farmers and landowners are calling for a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in England and Wales, as they warn of the risk of igniting wildfires. The call, which has also been made by firefighters and is backed by the Liberal Democrats and many Labour MPs, comes as much of England faces…
Farmers, landowners, firefighters, Liberal Democrats and Labour MPs have joined forces to urge a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in England and Wales. The call stems from the heightened wildfire risk due to soaring temperatures and a severe drought. The National Farmers Union's deputy president, Paul Tompkins, highlighted the immediate and long-term consequences of wildfires on farmers' livelihoods and the environment.
He urged retailers to remove disposable barbecues from sale and local authorities to issue protective orders. Wildfires have ravaged across the UK this year, with over 20,000 hectares burned. Tompkins also suggested increasing grazing in moorland areas to reduce vegetation. Some blame rewilding for the rising wildfire risk, but experts refute this.
The Country Land and Business Association, representing landowners, supports the ban but calls for lifting the ban on controlled burning to reduce wildfire danger. However, the government has no plans to impose a blanket ban on disposable barbecues, stating it takes fire risk seriously by enforcing safety rules and granting councils authority to ban them in high-risk zones.
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