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21 Aug 2018
'Relief' as mass sky lantern event cancelled following farm group pressure
A mass sky lantern release has been shut down following pressure from farm groups.
The ‘Festival of Lights’ event was due to take place on August 11 but organisers decided to plug the plug after NFU Scotland (NFUS), backed by Dumfries and Galloway Council, cited the dangers it could pose to livestock and the environment.
Teresa Dougall, NFUS regional manager for Dumfries and Galloway, said: “There will be great relief among the local farming community that this event, originally planned for harvest time in August, will not go ahead.
“Last year, Dumfries and Galloway Council announced a ban on the release of sky lanterns at all major events the council would host or sponsor, joining most local authorities across Scotland.
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“However, this does not go far enough and we would again urge politicians and local councils to consider options to place a full ban on the release of sky lanterns across the country.”
While organisers of such events may point at insurance being in place, this was little comfort, Ms Dougall said.
“By the time insurance is needed, the damage to property, crops, woodland or animal health has been done.”
Farmers Guardian has been campaigning for a ban on the sale and use of sky/Chinese lanterns for several years with its Say No to Sky Lanterns campaign.
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