Agricultural organizations, emergency services, and politicians are urging action to restrict disposable barbecues across England and Wales as wildfire concerns mount during a period of elevated temperatures and drought conditions. The National Farmers Union and the Country Land and Business Association have raised the issue, warning that dry vegetation creates hazardous conditions where small ignition sources can rapidly spread across farmland and natural areas.
The deputy president of the NFU characterized the threat as urgent, noting that farmers are already facing challenges from record heatwaves and severe drought in many regions. He described scenarios where a single spark or discarded match could destroy months of agricultural work, damaging crops, ruining harvests, and endangering equipment and livestock. The union has called on retail businesses to cease selling disposable barbecues and requested local authorities to implement public space protection orders restricting the use of open-flame cooking and camping equipment in public areas.
Some major supermarket chains have already voluntarily stopped selling disposable barbecues, but the products remain available through smaller retailers, hardware stores, and online platforms. A Member of Parliament representing High Peak in Derbyshire recently contacted retailers requesting they discontinue sales. Wildfires have impacted regions across the United Kingdom throughout the year, with estimates indicating over 20,000 hectares have burned. Recent incidents include fires in Welsh valleys, Scottish highlands, and near a nuclear facility in Suffolk.
Landowner and conservation groups have advanced additional proposals alongside the barbecue ban. The CLA has requested removal of restrictions on controlled burning, arguing that properly managed vegetation clearing reduces wildfire intensity and spread. This position contrasts with current English policy, which prohibits the practice to protect habitats and limit carbon emissions. Some observers have suggested rewilding efforts increase fire risk, though experts dispute this claim, pointing instead to how reintroduced species such as beavers can improve water retention and drought resilience.
Weather patterns have provided some relief in northern regions, with rainfall in Scotland and northern England, and scattered showers in Wales and Northern Ireland. South-east England experienced predominantly dry conditions despite cloud cover.
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