A SADDLEWORTH councillor has called for a complete ban on the sale of disposable barbecues “to protect our wildlife and green spaces.”
Cllr George Hulme wants the issue debated in Parliament and has urged people to sign a petition calling for a total ban.
Supermarket giants Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencers, have already withdrawn the items from sale.
Sainsbury’s say this is a precautionary measure caused by the heatwave; Tesco have “temporarily paused” disposable barbecue sales.
Moorland areas, including Dovestone Reservoir and Chew Valley, are already on red alert because of a return of the hot weather.
Last month, emergency services tackled a succession of blazes in the area.
Most recently five males were caught by GMP Saddleworth & Lees and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) having a barbecue at Dovestone.
Their details were taken for prosecution with fines up to £2,500 for breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order.
The Co-op banned the sale of disposable barbecues at 130 stores close to National Parks in June 2021 and, from March this year, Aldi no longer sells them to protect forests and wildlife.
Cllr Hulme said: “Despite the PSPO and the good work done by the volunteer marshals, people have still been caught carrying or using disposable barbecues at Dovestone and elsewhere on Saddleworth Moor.
“I welcome the steps taken by Marks & Spencer, the Co-op and Aldi to stop or restrict the sale of disposable barbecues but more needs to be done.
“I urge everyone to sign the petition asking Parliament to ban the sale of disposable barbecues to protect our wildlife and green spaces.
“Over 19,000 people have signed and if 100,00 people sign the petition has to be considered for debate in Parliament.’
The petition can be found here or search the petition.parliament.uk website and look for: Place a complete ban on the sale and use of disposable BBQ’s in the UK
But like banning the sale of Umbrellas to stop it raining, I’m against it.
This country is getting far to keen on banning stuff often for the silliest of reasons; most BBQs are used safely and at home so why should they be banned, certainly ban them from places where there use might present a serious risk but not ban the sale of them.
The sale of portable BBQs should be banned close to large open spaces of natural beauty.
The land is far too precious even when we’re not in a drought.
The usual anti rule mob will chant away whilst downing another lunchtime pint but this country has slipped too far under the guise of liberty and we have to put the Great back in Britain. Remember we got rid of Boris – Mr Rule Breaker!
Those that don’t like rules and standards are free to leave at anytime!
“The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr
No they shouldn’t be banned. Why should the rest of us be treated like idiots because of a minority. I trust we will also be banning cigarettes as the same morons who have a bbq in open moorland are likely to be the same ones that carelessly discard their fag ends . As for Andys point that sales should be banned near open spaces of natural beauty. Little bit naive. So Joe Bloggs can by one at his local inner city store but not take it with him when he totters up to Dovestones. Give me a break.
Well put.