London, Oct 19 (IANS): The British government plans to study the environmental risks posed by Chinese sky lanterns that could pave the way for their ban, the Daily Mail reported.
Ministers are poised to launch an independent study to assess the scale of the risks posed to livestock, crops and the environment.
The probe will look at international efforts to limit their impact and consider their value to the economy after a boom in popularity of releasing the lanterns at weddings, festivals and parties.
Farming leaders have long called for a ban on the lanterns, complaining that when the wire frames fall back to earth they can be eaten by cattle.
Several cows have died as a result of choking on small pieces of wire chopped up into hay or silage when crops are harvested, according to the National Farmers' Union.