The government was today called upon to ban Chinese paper lanterns, because of the risk posed to cows, sheep and other livestock.
Members of the House of Lords called on the government to implement a ban, following concerns expressed by the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and coastguards.
The large paper lanterns, made from a paper and wire frame, are often released in the air to mark celebrations and can drift several miles landing in agricultural areas.
The NFU has previously written to the government and are calling on farmers who experience problems with lanterns to write to venues near their farms pointing out the dangers and urging them not to use them.
During Lords question time, Baroness Fookes said the decorations pose a danger to animals, cattle have eaten the wire frames and died as a result.
"Large numbers of these are being set off. Each contains a lighted candle and wire structures and there is considerable anecdotal evidence of harm to animals, either at the time or when chopped up in silage or hay," she told peers.
The Conservative peer called for an "outright ban" on the "apparently enchanting creatures" that have shown evidence of harm to animals.
Junior rural affairs minister Lord Davies said that while few animals had been affected the "impacts can be severe", but said it was wrong to “exaggerate the impacts2.
He said: "Chinese lanterns are enjoyed by many but this should not be at the expense of littering our countryside or injury to animals."
Lord Davies added that biogradeable lanterns are available and that the government will work with groups to "promote the use of models which do not cause harm or environmental damage".
Liberal Democrat front bencher David Heath also raised the issue during environment questions in the Commons today.
Heath said that he did not want to be a "kill-joy" and was not calling for them to be banned, rather he wanted to see the metal structures replaced with a biodegradable frame.
He said: "This is a growing trend in our part of the world, particularly at the open air festivals like Glastonbury, and I can well understand the attractions.
"The illuminated paper lanterns look spectacularly beautiful against the night sky. Unfortunately, the problem comes when they land in fields which are subsequently mown and as a result we get fragments of wire in animal feed-stuffs."
