Join our campaign to ban sky lanterns
Sky lanterns might look pretty.
But they are a serious danger to animals and the countryside.
We've joined forces with farming, environment, animal and fire organisations to call on the government to ground sky lanterns for good and bring in a total ban in England and Wales.
Thank you to everyone that has already supported our campaign.
Why our campaign matters
Sky lanterns are essentially a small hot air balloon made of paper.
They have an opening at the bottom where a candle is suspended.
They can float for miles before they fall to the ground.
Every year up to 200,000 sky lanterns are released in the UK.
These “floating flames” are highly dangerous.
They can:
- start wildfires
- kill animals
- destroy food growing in field
And the estimated 171 million tonnes of litter they leave in their wake is a blight on our beautiful countryside.
Every year up to 200,000 sky lanterns are released in the UK.
Farmers continue to report the threat they are posing to their farm businesses.
That’s why action is needed now.
Sign our petition for a total ban on sky lanterns.
Our campaign journey so far
2019
The NFU launched a campaign to urge people to email their council to ban sky lanterns on land it owns.
To date 200 councils out of 333 have banned them in England and Wales. Find out if your council has banned sky lanterns.
2021
The NFU, alongside 17 leading farming, environment, animal and fire organisations including the RSPCA and National Fire Chiefs Council, wrote to Rebecca Pow MP, then Under Secretary of State for Defra to highlight the danger of sky lanterns.
The coalition then met with the then Environment Minister, Jo Churchill MP. She committed to commission further research into the risks of sky lanterns.
May 2022
We launched our petition calling for support for a total ban on the sale and use of sky lanterns in England and Wales.
November 2022
We wrote to then Environment Minister, Trudy Harrison MP, to ask for a national ban on sky lanterns.
In a positive step forward, Defra commissioned further research into sky lanterns and their impact to clarify the case for a total ban.
January 2023
Our petition reached more than 100,000 signatures as more members of the public became concerned with the harmful impact of sky lanterns. 100,000 signatures is recognised by Parliament as a significant milestone.
We would like to thank everyone who has lent their support to our campaign to ban sky lanterns for their role in protecting the British countryside.
November 2023
We wrote to Defra again, calling for the research findings to be shared given the continued support from the public calling for a ban
February 2024
Defra published the long-awaited research into the social, economic and environmental costs of sky lanterns. The report concluded that the only way to reduce the risks posed is a national ban on the sale of sky lanterns.
Our petition remains open and we would encourage people to continue letting Defra know their concerns about the harms of sky lanterns by adding their signature.
Email your council
A number of councils have backed the campaign and banned the release of sky lanterns on council owned land.
If your local council isn't already supporting the ban, you can call on it to do so by using our simple email tool, which will send a pre-filled letter to your local council.
See if your council has already implemented a ban. Visit: NFUonline.com | Which councils have banned sky lanterns?
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