The penalty for mass balloon release should be the same as for fly tipping

[Serencwtch]

Yet another mass balloon release local to us.
This time dozens of blue metallic balloons with plastic ribbon.
We are farmers & spent yesterday morning trying to save a calf who was found with the metallic plastic in her mouth. She choked to death slowly & painfully. We have likely lost dozens of unborn lambs as the ewes were running terrified all night by the shiny metallic litter in their field.
We are in a area of outstanding national beauty & the wildlife there won't have a farmer to save them from suffering.
It gets caught up in our crop fields, damages machinery & contaminates food crops.
Theres balloons stuck in trees from a release 2 years ago - this rubbish does not break down.

YABU - if you lose a loved one you have the right to litter the countryside, cause suffering to animals & damage farmers livelihoods

YANBU - It's the same if not worse than any other rubbish dumping & should be prosecuted

Having done a few local clean ups while walking my dog, I can also confirm balloons don't go to Heaven. I really don't understand how causing issues for wildlife/livestock is a way to remember a loved one. Sickens me everytime I hear about one.

So with you on this

It should be illegal, it's also a really weird way to signify the passing of a loved one, self serving at best. I agree with all you said.

How is your local MP when it comes to rural affairs? Id reach out to them and I'd do as much as i could to get this in the public eye.
I was a lone voice in a balloon release at the school years ago for this very reason. Im sorry this has happened.

Was going to say the same.

Also local councillors, see if they can take a stance against balloon releases at a local level.

And, whilst it is clearly heartbreaking for you, do you have photos/ videos of your animals suffering/ dying that could go on local Facebook group and to local newspapers.

Share photos on social media. I am a litter picker and support your message.

YANBU, the excuses used to release balloons like this along with other things which harm wildlife and the environment make me rage. I can't understand how some people really don't care about anything outside their own perceived rights. I don't care the reasons people give, there are no reasons or excuses for this selfish behavior. I'm so sorry you have had to deal with the loss of your calf in this way. Tough penalties should 100% be implemented

YANBU I detest the trend of releasing rubbish into the sky that drifts back down to endanger livestock and wildlife. It’s ignorant and selfish and there needs to be a societal shift away from doing it. Plant a tree for a loved one, donate to a wildlife charity instead.

It's so unnecessary and self centred. I absolutely agree that it should be treated like fly tipping.

Oooh it's been a while since we've had one of these threads.

But I agree 100% 👍

They should be banned along with Chinese lanterns. If anyone wants to do a release do bubbles.

Completely agree. Anyone who speaks up is always shouted down and shamed for being 'insensitive' because they're usually being released for someone's dead relative.

I certainly wouldn't appreciate my family doing a balloon release in my honour.

They're rarely shouted down on Mumsnet to be fair.

They should be illegal! Xx

I do understand why people want to do something to remember a loved one who has died, but why not do something positive - plant a tree, for example, or spread a load of wildflower seeds - in a suitable area of course. That way they can come back year after year and see the flowers or the tree flourishing.

In my experience, people are all for stopping this sort of thing until they realise it includes them as well, then their selfish special exception for me gene kicks in.

I’m so sorry you and your animals are suffering because of this selfish idiocy. Not really sure why helium balloons are even legal, it’s a waste of a valuable finite resource.

So sorry about your calf and other stock, OP - I hope the ewes are OK.

I think all helium balloons should be banned. I walk along a protected coast where seals live and pup, and these bloody balloons are lethal. To the seals, to birdlife. They don't break down in the sea at all, and the beaches are littered.

So why the need to be snarky? The OP is telling us what happened to her calf. She's allowed to post that.

Go to local press. Never usually say that, but this time I will

There was uproar when a Chinese lantern landed on a zoo on Germany and killed several primates in a fire.

YANBU. It makes me angry that people are allowed to do this. It absolutely should be banned.

I'm so sorry that your animals were injured and scared. The suffering caused to livestock and wild animals is totally needless.

I have no idea why you'd think that was snarky?

It wasn't, I was merely stating that we used to get a lot of these threads, but haven't for a while 🤷‍♂️

I'm glad the OP is bringing awareness back into the spotlight.

I agree with you. Sadly, the types that are still buying helium balloons and sky lanterns are just too stupid to get through to.

Its so hard you're not wrong but if someone lost there baby and wanted to do this i would join in for them

I agree with you. But on the other hand….I don’t think I’d be comfortable slapping a fine on a grieving family who’ve just lost their child, for example. Not everyone is as educated on these matters as some on here.