Disposable barbecues are being pulled from shelves as retailers respond to wildfire risks in the UK.
Supermarkets including Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Co-op have suspended sales in response to warnings from fire chiefs during a period of hot, dry weather that has increased the risk of wildfires across the country.
The likes of Wilko and The Range have also started removing them from stores and online.
Recent blazes have already broken out in Dunwich, Suffolk and the Rhondda Valley in Wales.
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Major retailers have taken action in line with voluntary guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) lasting until Wednesday, August 12.
A Co-op spokesperson said: “Co-op takes its environmental and community responsibilities extremely seriously and has a long-standing policy for the safe sale disposable BBQs, supported by the NFCC.
“Due to the very hot weather and drought conditions the UK is currently experiencing, and in line with the NFCC guidance, we have voluntarily removed all disposable BBQs from sale for a temporary period.”
A spokesperson for Tesco said: “As a responsible retailer Tesco follows the voluntary code on the sale of disposable barbecues created by the British Retail Consortium and the NFCC.
“In line with the code, we have temporarily removed disposable barbecues from sale across our stores and online.”
Retailers Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose and M&S stopped selling disposable barbecues in 2022.
“We have to accept the fact that the climate has changed”
Jon Pearce, the Labour MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, who has called on retailers to remove the products from sale for the rest of the summer, welcomed the move and urged smaller shops to follow suit.
He also called for longer-term action to address changing climate conditions.
Mr Pearce told the Press Association: “The big retailers are taking the lead, which is great, but now we need the others to come in behind them.
“Asking them to suspend sales this summer is to deal with the immediate problem but we have to accept the fact that the climate has changed.”
He said that “last summer was the worst on record for wildfires,” and warned: “This year will almost certainly surpass it.
“We need to adapt quickly to our changing climate and start planning for next summer now.”
Mr Pearce continues to campaign for a full ban on disposable barbecues in public spaces.
He said: “The Government needs to genuinely look at what’s happening.
“It’s great retailers are supporting us this summer but I would expect the Government to look at the risks and act ahead of next summer.”
Fire chiefs say wildfires are putting growing and sustained pressure on services, with more than 700 incidents already recorded in England and Wales this year.
What are wildfires caused by?
Prolonged hot weather combined with human activity is one of the main causes of wildfires, according to the National Emergencies Trust.
It explains: “Hotter weather alone cannot cause wildfires.
“It depends on fuel, weather conditions and an ignition source, like lightning or human action.
“Many wildfires are sparked by human activities, including discarded cigarettes, campfires, and even arson.
“Unintentional acts of negligence can have devastating consequences.”
Do you agree with the decision for supermarkets to remove disposable barbecues from sale? Let us know in the comments.
