Temporary ban of disposable barbecues welcomed by High Peak MP

The Government has issued guidance stating that disposable barbecues pose a ‘significant risk to the public’ in the current conditions and must not be made available for sale, either in-store or online.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade said disposable barbecues had been responsible for a number of serious wildfires across the country over the summer months and could not currently be considered a safe product.

Jon Pearce MP has been campaigning for major retailers across the country to suspend the sale of disposable barbecues, following a summer of devastatingwildfires affecting the High Peak and other parts of the country.

Jon Pearce MP said: “I welcome the Government’s decision to temporarily ban the sale of disposable barbecues during this period of extreme heat and drought.

“I have been calling on retailers to stop selling these products because the risk they pose to our countryside and communities is simply too great in these conditions.

“We have seen devastating wildfires across the country this summer, including in

and around the Peak District. We cannot afford to be complacent when the

conditions are so dry, and the risk of fire is so high.

“I’m grateful to the retailers who listened to my campaign and took action, and I’m pleased the Government has now gone further by making clear that disposable barbecues should not be available for sale.

“This is an important step to help protect our countryside, wildlife, homes and communities. I will continue to push for action to reduce the risk of wildfires in the Peak District and across the country.”

Mr Pearce has been campaigning for action on disposable barbecues after securing commitments from major retailers to remove them from sale in High Peak. Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Co-op and Tesco have all agreed to stop selling disposable barbecues in their stores nationally following his campaign.

Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose and M&S had already stopped selling disposable barbecues in 2022.

In the new guidelines from the government it states: “Disposable barbecues have been the cause of a number of serious wildfires across the country over the summer months.

“During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product. “They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.

“These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.”

The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has confirmed that retailers will receive guidance on the change.

In a video for the Metro Any Burnham said: “Please do not light an open fire a bonfire if you are disposing of a cigarette take great care this is a really combustible situation literally we need to respect that fact and make sure no one is taking any risks with other people's homes, other people’s lives if you act recklessly.”