The UK Government has issued a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, stating they pose a "significant risk to the public" during the current heatwave conditions. The ban comes as wildfires continue to burn across the UK, with homes evacuated and thousands of hectares of mountainside destroyed.
Ban Details and Scope
According to new advice published on the UK Government website, single-use barbecues will not be able to be sold in store or online at this time. The update states that grills "have been the cause of a number of serious wildfires across the country over the summer months." 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."
The guidelines will be kept under review and withdrawn "as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks." It remains unclear whether the ban automatically applies in Wales or will have to be adopted by the Welsh Government.
Political Response
Earlier this week, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth indicated he would support a ban, urging Welsh retailers to follow voluntary guidance and stop selling disposable barbecues during periods of extreme heat. He told BBC Wales he supported a voluntary ban, adding that having barbecues "in tinder-dry places is not a very, very good idea."
The issue was discussed at an emergency UK government Cobra meeting on Wednesday, attended by Mr ap Iorwerth, to consider the response to record temperatures.
Prime Minister's Comments
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the ban was announced, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said some of the wildfires burning across the country will have been started by disposable barbecues. He said: "All retailers will be receiving guidance today, asking them to withdraw them from sale."
He added: "We've got 37 fires across England and Wales right now, four of them are major incidents. I can't on this call today say to you that all of them are down to disposable barbecues, they're not, and I wouldn't, wouldn't claim that. But it's probable that some of them have been caused in that in that way."
