Mass Balloon release proposed ban in Portsmouth

[tufftie]

That's good news that the MCS are backing the ban. Hopefully all will go well...fingers crossed

[Geoff F]

The Salcombe Regatta (of which I am a member) S. Devon, used to have a balloon race but a couple of years ago we changed it to a virtual balloon race. Competitiors had to mark on a map where they thought a balloon would be after 24 hours; a bit like spot the ball. The prize was a ride in a hot air balloon for 2 or £200 cash alternative and tickets were £1.

It sounded like a good idea but unfortunately the public weren't interested and we only got around 40 entries a year so now we have dropped the event.

[kml]

Well good news it looks like the ban has been passed.
On finding out more information on this subject I have found balloon waste is not recognised by law as litter.So there could be no prosecutions under the littering act.This law obviously needs to be changed any thoughts?

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by kml

Well good news it looks like the ban has been passed.
On finding out more information on this subject I have found balloon waste is not recognised by law as litter.So there could be no prosecutions under the littering act.This law obviously needs to be changed any thoughts?

The only thing we can do then, is to lobby MPs.
Doesn't the new marine bill stand for anything..

[Darley]

Following on from the thread in Campaigns & Petitions, there is a petition on the PM's web site already:

Petition to: Ban mass balloon releases. | Number10.gov.uk

I am frequently amazed at how otherwise thoughtful and responsible people who wouldn't drop litter in the street (where it is readily cleared away anyway) don't give a second thought to releasing hundreds and thousands of balloons into the environment - and by nature of course they travel far and wide, often ending up in rivers, and then onto the sea.

[ashby_1963]

Great news that the councils are starting to use their power to achieve some good.
I think that as neither political party has a huge majority in the opinion polls at the moment, it forces the local MP's to take more notice of public opinion.

If the charities don't like the ban, despite being aware of the unquestionable environmental damage being caused, I would question their moral viewpoint!

Is there such a thing as a biodegradable balloon?