Ban urged on disposable barbecues

Photo: Matthew Ashmore - stock.adobe.com

The CLA is calling for retailers to ban the sale of disposable barbecues this summer

In a call to action for all major retailers across the UK, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is campaigning for an immediate ban on the sale of disposable barbecues in an effort to prevent more wildfires damaging the countryside and threatening rural communities.

CLA President, Mark Tufnell said: “The CLA is demanding that retailers immediately ban the sale of disposable barbecues across the UK this summer in a move to curb fires spreading in the countryside which cause great damage to rural communities, businesses and jeopardise the safety of all those in the surrounding areas.

“During this period of prolonged lack of rainfall, record temperatures during heatwaves and wildfires damaging the countryside, policies such as this which can mitigate potential further fire damage are sensible and necessary.

“We warmly welcome people to the countryside as they seek to enjoy the glorious weather. But we ask them to help us protect farmland and natural habitats by not lighting barbecues, fires and other potentially hazardous materials such as sky lanterns.”

Marks and Spencer announced on 3 August that it was to stop selling the items across the whole of the UK due to the risks presented by “the unusually hot and dry conditions.”

Mr Tuffnell added: “It is encouraging to see that Marks and Spencer has taken this decision, however it is now time for other major retailers to follow suit as soon as possible.”

Earlier this year, Aldi became the first UK supermarket to ban the sale of disposable barbecues nationwide, in a bid to protect the nation’s forests and wildlife.

At M&S we want to help protect open spaces and reduce the risk of fires. We’d already stopped selling disposable barbecues near national parks and in London but given the unusually hot and dry conditions, we’ve taken the precautionary step of removing them from sale across the UK

— M&S News (@MandSnews) August 3, 2022