The BMC have launched a 'No Moor BBQs' campaign, after countless devastating moorland fires. They are calling on the government to criminalise the use of disposable barbeques on open moorland, with a severe penalty for anyone caught.
The campaign argues that 'the time has come for stronger national legislation to prevent this happening and to protect our moorland landscapes. Currently, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW), local by-laws and local protection orders govern fires on open moorland but stronger legislation is needed.'
Already this year, and despite lockdown, National Park Authorities have issued multiple statements asking people to avoid using barbeques at all costs. The return of large numbers of people in England to National Parks at the end of May coincided with a huge spike in moorland fires which caused extensive environmental damage.
The BMC reports that over the weekend of 30th May 2020, 'more than 20 significant moorland and grassland fires were reported' and that since 2007, 'it is estimated that over 77km2 of moorland in the Peak District alone, has been destroyed as a result of wildfires.'
This follows calls from the Peak District National Park Authority urging retailers and petrol stations across the park to remove all disposable barbeques from sale.
2019 was rocked by a huge fire on Marsden Moor in West Yorkshire, which burnt through over 15km2 of moorland. According to the National Trust, the fire was likely to have been started by a barbecue. This was one of 137 wildfires larger than 25 hectares recorded in 2019 alone.
Comments
Good idea! Those BBQs are a curse. I'm normally against the idea of banning things but they have caused so many problems. Visiting the Peak is becoming increasingly depressing; so many more places seem to be trashed these days and the litter line gets higher all the time.
I think part of the problem is with the name, disposable means throw it away doesn't it and that's what they do. Can we rename them 'take it back home with you BBQs'? I occasionally find them around the cliffs on Portland, I would have expected better of climbers.
I'm a little bit disappointed the hyperlink to the article wasn't "Read moor".
Pun aside. I remember those "bucket BBQs" were the rage a few years back. They weren't marketed as disposable but the price was still so low people were treating them as such, and even where they kept the bbq, still-hot coals weren't always disposed of properly.
My shopping trips are utilitarian rather than leisure so I haven't been into the summer tat aisle (or the beach) to notice if they're in vogue this year. They're the obvious loophole to a ban targeting disposables. Or a roasting tin, plant pot, metal pail etc...
Other countries have outright fire bans during wildfire season. In my view, this seems a better way of going about things than bans on certain product categories. Unfair on the responsible maybe, but seems the only chance of stopping or punishing those intent on acting carelessly.
I despair at it. Well done to BMC for trying to do something at least.
The manufacture of disposable barbeques should be banned.
I doubt the bulk of them are manufactured inside of UK jurisdiction, but I agree with the sentiment.
Import, sales and use are probably the most potent angles we have. The (assumed) minority we might manufacture would be a nice icing on the cake.