Disposable barbecues could be banned across open countryside and moorland areas following warnings from senior councillors that they pose a severe threat to wildlife and residents.
Disposable barbecues could face a total ban across moorland areas after being branded an unnecessary menace and a severe endangerment to residents and wildlife.
The devastating impact of countryside fires is driving a renewed campaign by senior North Yorkshire councillors to outlaw the items entirely.
The push for a complete ban comes exactly a year after the Langdale blaze swept through the area. Firefighters believe the incident was directly caused by a disposable barbecue set.
As the tourist season reaches its peak, the environmental damage caused by open fires in the countryside has prompted demands for immediate and decisive action.
The ongoing abandonment of the foil trays continues to pose a severe threat long after visitors have left the area, leaving local wildlife and rural communities at risk.
Councillor David Staveley said:
"As we're heading to the depths of the tourist season now, I believe what I can best describe as the invasive element of tourism is starting to yield its worst effects. One particular issue that's been constantly raised, that's an endangerment to the local wildlife and to residents as well, is the use of disposable barbecues in the open countryside. Is there anything that can be done by way of trying to mitigate or, dare I say it, ban this sort of practice because, clearly, it's something that comes time and again. Littering in general is a big issue, but this particular element of littering has far-reaching effects, way beyond the day of the the use of the barbecue and the subsequent abandonment of the product, because it would seem that people are struggling to pick them up once they've used them and take them home."
The campaign to ban the products is gaining cross-party traction, with suggestions that local leaders will either launch their own local initiative or join existing efforts spearheaded by the mayor to outlaw the items completely.
Officials are urging visitors to return to traditional picnics rather than taking the inherent risk of cooking food in rural locations.
Councillor Richard Foster added:
"They're are an inherent risk. I do question bringing a barbecue and requiring to come to the countryside to cook your food as being essential. The good old picnic was a tried and tested thing and while there might be a bit of litter, it didn't actually cause, potentially, the huge environmental damage of actually having a fire or open or controlled fire within the countryside. I do believe the mayor wants a motion to stop disposable barbecues and I completely agree with him, on this occasion and I would hope that the Labour group at the council could agree with him too and I do think I'm going to work with the leaders to either re-join that campaign or do something ourselves just to remove disposable barbecues from society. I think they're an unnecessary menace."
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