UK Farmers Urge Disposable Barbecue Ban Amid Drought

Agricultural leaders and lawmakers are demanding a temporary ban on disposable barbecues across England and Wales to mitigate wildfire risks. The push comes as the region faces record heatwaves and the most severe drought in some areas since 1976. Over 20,000 hectares have already burned across the UK this season, with significant fires reported in the Rhondda Valley, the Cairngorms, and near the Sizewell B nuclear plant in Suffolk.

The National Farmers Union of England and Wales and the Country Land and Business Association are urging retailers to halt sales and calling on local authorities to implement public space protection orders. Member of Parliament Jon Pearce has also petitioned retailers to remove the products. While major supermarkets have ceased sales of disposable barbecues, they remain available through online vendors and smaller shops.

Simultaneously, the Country Land and Business Association is pressing Natural England to lift its current ban on controlled burning. Advocates argue that managed burns are necessary to clear the vegetation that fuels wildfires and slows their spread. Natural England currently maintains the ban to protect wildlife and limit carbon emissions.