MP calls on government to press ahead with action on Sky lanterns

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has tabled a motion in Parliament calling for quick action following the Government's report into the effects of Chinese Sky Lanterns on farmers' property and livestock.

Tim has stepped up his campaign to ensure distributors of Chinese Sky Lanterns follow health and safety guidelines set out by General Product Safety Regulations, urging the Government to prioritise the issue and make sure the findings of their study are made available as soon as possible, so that effective action can be taken quickly.

This is the latest stage in Tim's campaign to ensure the government acts on the concerns, having previously tabled Early Day Motions raising awareness of the problem, and pressing Ministers not to ignore the damage and distress which has seen the Lanterns banned in Spain from January 2012.

Tim has now tabled a new Early Day Motion supporting the Government's commitment to looking into the issue, saying it is important to create guidelines that work for both farmers and the public. Tim also however emphasised the fact that Farmers' concerns must be met by real, decisive action from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and that the report's findings must be available as soon as possible.

Commenting today Tim said: "I am delighted that the Government will be holding this review, and I look forward to a practical solution being agreed sooner rather than later. It is very important that the report helps us to act quickly, to ensure these seemingly innocent things are not allowed to cause such suffering and damage."