North Lanarkshire ban helium balloons and sky lanterns
NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL have become the latest Scottish local authority to vote in favour of banning the release of sky lanterns and helium balloons after a unanimous decision earlier today.
The outcome is another significant step forward for Animal Concern’s campaign to “prohibit the release of sky lanterns and helium balloons from all council land, premises and licensed events”.
Ahead of the vote on Wednesday afternoon Animal Concern spokesperson Graeme Corbett shared his optimism with the Glasgow Standard:
“We are optimistic. When we went through this process with Scottish Borders Council they passed their motion unanimously, and we would love to see that repeated again here.”
A unanimous decision was repeated, and Animal Concern can cross another council off their list of 32 local authorities they hope will eventually eradicate use of the dangerous items which pose a serious threat to animal welfare. Corbett said:
“In the case of sky lanterns and helium balloons the primary risk is congestion. Animals are inquisitive and not particularly fussy about what they eat! If they tried to ingest a lantern or balloon, they could quite easily become lodged in the oesophagus and that could cause asphyxiation.
“In the case of lanterns they’re made of bamboo and wire. When they land, they can come apart a bit, because they come down with a bump. This often reveals sharp edges which can perforate on the way down, puncture internal organs and cause internal bleeding.”
Corbett admits the forefront of the campaign’s agenda focuses on the wellbeing of animals and wildlife. But the organisation is aware of the positive effect they’re having on Scotland’s environment:
“As much as our primary focus is animal welfare, we have to be welcome to the fact that, particularly in terms of sky lanterns, they pose a risk to our natural and built-in environment.
“Our priority comes from an animal welfare perspective. But we are absolutely not blind to the fact that there are other harms that impact things which might stray slightly away from our core charitable purpose.
“Whatever else you want to describe, putting balloons or lanterns in the air is just delayed littering. Nobody releases them, tracks them, goes to where they land and tidies up after them. So there’s an environmental issue right there.”
Corbett is hopeful North Lanarkshire’s decision can inspire other local authorities to follow suit:
“I think it demonstrates that this is an issue which cuts across party lines. There is no reason why anyone on the left, right or middle can’t come together and support this”.
