Campaigners welcome wood-burning consultation but say it falls short
The government has launched a long-awaited public consultation on domestic wood burning, acknowledging concerns about air pollution caused by stoves and fireplaces in homes across the UK.
The consultation, published at midday, looks at ways to reduce pollution from solid fuel burning and invites views from the public, industry and health experts.
Campaign group Mums for Lungs, which has campaigned for years on the health impacts of air pollution from wood burning, said it welcomed the move but warned the proposals do not go far enough.
Founder and director Jemima Hartshorn said people across the country regularly contact the group with complaints about smoke from neighbouring properties.
“We are glad to see Government starting this consultation and acknowledging that the pollution emitted from living rooms is too much and too harmful,” she said.
“Almost daily people get in touch to tell us about being smoked out of their homes and gardens, of non-stop coughing and wheezing during the winter despite their neighbours burning in a legal way across the country.”
Ms Hartshorn said the consultation focuses mainly on reducing emissions from new wood-burning stoves, while failing to address pollution from existing stoves and open fireplaces, which she said account for a significant share of harmful emissions.
“The consultation outline does not go far enough,” she added.
“It only suggests measures that will reduce wood burning from new stoves but does not address the huge levels of pollution emitted by existing stoves and fireplaces.
“Hopefully, in line with scientists and health professionals, the final outcome will be more aligned with the needs of public and children’s health. Frankly, non-essential wood burning needs to end.”
Mums for Lungs said it is calling on the government to strengthen the proposals and consider tougher measures to protect public health, particularly for children and people with respiratory conditions.
The group said it can also put forward individuals for interview who say they are directly affected by wood-burning pollution in their homes and neighbourhoods.
The consultation is now open to public responses.