There is a growing movement in England and Wales advocating for a ban on disposable barbecues, citing their role in increasing the risk of wildfires. The campaign has gained momentum as MPs from the Liberal Democrats and Labour Party ally with farmers, landowners and fire services in pressing Prime Minister Andy Burnham to implement a temporary prohibition on their use.
Paul Tompkins, Deputy President of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and a dairy farmer based in the Vale of York, emphasised the devastating impact a single spark can have. He warned that “a stray match or single spark can wipe out months of hard work in just minutes,” potentially destroying crops and harvests, damaging essential machinery and infrastructure, and putting livestock in serious danger.
“Beyond the immediate losses, there could be long-term consequences for soil health, grassland productivity and the confidence of farm businesses already facing significant pressures,” Tompkins added.
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Tompkins urged retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues and called on local authorities to introduce public space protection orders to ban the lighting of barbecues, campfires, and camping stoves in vulnerable areas.
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents landowners, has also called for a ban. CLA President Gavin Lane highlighted the benefits of controlled burning, explaining it as one of several proven methods to reduce wildfire risk. He said:
“Controlled burning, when done properly, clears the vegetation that fuels wildfires and slows their spread. We urge Natural England to lift the current ban on controlled burning and consider its role carefully as a preventative measure.”
These calls come amid warnings from meteorologists that significant rainfall, critical for alleviating drought conditions, may not arrive until October. Currently, almost half of England is enduring drought, affecting regions including East Anglia, Hertfordshire, London, Thames Valley, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Devon, Cornwall, the West Midlands and Wessex.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Will Lang noted, “While there is always potential for periods of rain during the remainder of the summer, current forecasts do not support the widespread, sustained rainfall needed to address the rainfall deficits that have accumulated in recent months.”
He further explained that, “As we move through August, drier than average conditions are expected, especially across southern and eastern areas. Meaningful recovery from prolonged dry spells typically depends on frequent and widespread rainfall in the autumn months, when weather patterns tend to become more changeable.”