Farmers and landowners in England and Wales are urging a temporary ban on disposable barbecues to reduce the escalating risk of wildfires amid persistent heat and drought conditions. The appeal is supported by firefighters and backed by the Liberal Democrats and numerous Labour MPs, as much of England continues to face high temperatures.

Paul Tompkins, deputy president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), emphasized the severe impact wildfires can have on agriculture, cautioning that a single spark could destroy months of hard work in minutes. He highlighted the potential for significant damage to crops, machinery, infrastructure, and livestock, alongside long-term consequences for soil health and grassland productivity. Tompkins called on retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues and urged local authorities to enforce public space protection measures that prohibit barbecues, campfires, and camping stoves in vulnerable areas.

The call comes amid record heatwaves influenced by the climate crisis and severe droughts—the worst in some regions since 1976—that have already caused losses or reductions in crop yields across the country. Jon Pearce, the Member of Parliament for High Peak in Derbyshire, has written to retailers requesting they cease sales of disposable barbecues. While most major supermarkets have already removed these items from their shelves, throwaway barbecues remain accessible in smaller shops, some hardware and DIY stores, and online.

The wildfire threat is widespread, with fires reported across the UK this year, including in the Rhondda Valley in Wales, the Cairngorms in Scotland, Suffolk, and the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland. Notably, a fire in Suffolk occurred within a few miles of the Sizewell B nuclear power station, raising additional safety concerns. Estimates suggest more than 20,000 hectares (approximately 50,000 acres) have been affected by wildfire across the UK in 2023.

In addition to advocating for restrictions on disposable barbecues, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), representing rural landowners, has called for the lifting of the current ban on controlled burning. Gavin Lane, president of the CLA, pointed out that properly conducted controlled burns are a proven method to reduce wildfire risk by clearing flammable vegetation in a managed way.

As authorities and organizations weigh these measures, the focus remains on balancing public access and safety with efforts to protect vulnerable ecosystems and agricultural livelihoods from increasing wildfire threats during this prolonged period of extreme weather.