Calls to ban disposable barbecues in England and Wales over wildfire risk

Lib Dems and many Labour MPs join farmers, landowners and firefighters in urging temporary prohibition Farmers and landowners are calling for a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in England and Wales, as they warn of the risk of igniting wildfires. The call, which has also been made by firefighters and is backed by the Liberal Democrats and many Labour MPs, comes as much of England faces further hot dry weather, despite rain in some areas. The deputy president of the National Farmers Union, , said wildfires were an urgent concern as farmers counted the cost of lost or poor harvests driven by record heatwaves supercharged by the climate crisis over the last three months and the worst drought in many areas since 1976. The MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, Jon Pearce, also wrote to retailers this week, asking them to stop selling disposable barbecues. Most major supermarkets have already halted sales of disposable models, and some have not sold them for years.

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