Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to introduce restrictions on the use of disposable barbecues in national parks.

We are commissioning research to examine the impact that disposable barbecues have on the environment and potential avenues for mitigating significant risks. We expect this research to be completed in the new year, when we will be in a position to consider further action.

Current legislation allows for local authorities to restrict and enforce against the use of disposable barbecues in parks and other public spaces. There are also existing powers in legislation which can be used by authorities to regulate and prohibit the lighting of fires on Access Land in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and National Parks.

The Government is working with AONBs, National Park Authorities, and other Government Departments to promote a series of videos containing guidance about travelling to the wider countryside and safely spending time outdoors. This includes an updated Countryside Code, which advises not to light fires and to only have BBQs where signs say you can.