British Mountaineering Council start campaign to ban disposable BBQs

The British Mountaineering Council, BMC, has launched a new campaign called ‘No Moor BBQs’. 

The group urged supporters to lobby their local MPs, with the aim of making the use of disposable BBQs illegal in open moorland.

Mike Pike, a climber and mountain biker, used the BMC’s email template to provoke change from his Sheffield Hallam MP, Olivia Blake. 

The 45-year-old said: “Considering the damage disposable barbecues cause, I can’t see a valid reason for them to be sold or used.” 

He added: “I’m not sure why people need badly cooked meat to enjoy the countryside.”

According to the BMC, moorland fires threaten wildlife, human life and destroy underlying peat. 

Studies suggest that peatlands store twice as much carbon dioxide as the world’s forests and are essential in battling climate change. 

Earlier this week, MP Olivia Blake signed a letter to the government asking them to tighten legislation preventing grouse moor burning, which also affects peatlands.

However, Mr Pike said he was “very disappointed” by MP Blake’s response to his email. The MP allegedly stated the existing legislation to prevent moorland fires was “adequate”.

Barbecues are permitted in public parks in Sheffield, but guidance suggests that those using them should use designated BBQ areas and take care to avoid the risk of fire.   

The campaign comes after firefighters were called to a moorland fire near Ringinglow Road, Sheffield, on April 17.

The fire, attended to by six fire engines from the South Yorkshire Fire Service, was thought to be caused by a disposable BBQ. 

Jane Prout could see the fire from her home on School Green Lane, roughly two miles from where the blaze took place. 

Ms Prout said: “The fire was clearly out of control, it stretched over an alarming proportion of the horizon. I guess someone wanted to enjoy a BBQ in a place of natural beauty – it’s not beautiful now.”