Hidden danger of floating chinese lanterns in North Yorkshire (From Gazette & Herald)

Hidden danger of floating chinese lanterns in North Yorkshire

10:24am Tuesday 2nd February 2010

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FLOATING Chinese lanterns let off at celebrations throughout North Yorkshire could be posing a serious threat to livestock in the county.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) issued the warning after a number of cases where the lanterns had landed in fields and been partly eaten by cows, causing serious injury and, in at least one case, death.

Rosey Dunn, north-east representative for the NFU, said: “I can see a problem. Animals, being curious creatures, they would tend to nibble on these things, and if there is wire it is often fatal if they get it in their stomachs.”

A spokesman for the NFU nationally said: “For farmers they are a cause for concern.

“The wire mount for the fuel cell has the potential to injure livestock if it contaminates pasture, cut silage or hay.

“Arable farmers fear a standing crop being ignited by a lantern returning to the ground.

“The worries are compounded because the lanterns are often released in large numbers, can fly for 20 minutes at up to a mile high and can be very difficult to trace.”

The lanterns are made from paper, bamboo and wire and contain a small candle which, when lit, causes the lantern to lift into the air.

They can then float for up to 20 minutes at up to a mile high, and are carried by the wind.

The NFU said it had so far received no reports of incidents in North Yorkshire. However, the lanterns have featured in reports in the national media and farmers who have been affected are angry.

The BBC featured one farmer who described the lanterns as “incredibly dangerous” and called for them to be banned.

Another farmer, from Chester, told how he had lost a cow after parts of a lantern became lodged in the animal’s throat.

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