Target: John Sleep, Chair of the New Forest District Council
Goal: Implement immediate changes to food waste bin policies to protect donkeys and prevent the spread of disease.
Residents of the New Forest National Park in Hampshire have reportedly witnessed disturbing scenes as free-roaming donkeys aggressively break into food waste bins, spreading food scraps across public roads. Since the introduction of new food waste recycling caddies, these intelligent animals have been attracted to the bins, leading to chaos in the villages where households have been advised to leave them outside their properties. Witnesses have described the pandemonium as donkeys overturning bins and consuming discarded food, which poses a significant risk of spreading diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever among livestock in the area.
Local commoners and wildlife advocates are raising grave concerns about the implications of the new food waste management scheme that was approved in 2022. They fear that allowing these bins to remain outside invites potential health risks not only for the donkeys but also for the larger ecosystem. Donkeys could face dire consequences from this reckless policy, which could foster a plague of diseases that could be easily spread through improper food waste disposal.
The current operational guidance by the New Forest District Council is reckless and must be altered immediately. The potential dangers presented by leaving food waste bins accessible to roaming animals must be addressed to safeguard both the donkeys and the community. This petition demands that the council revise its bin policy, ensuring that food waste containers are kept secure and encouraging the implementation of more effective solutions to mitigate these threats to local wildlife.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Sleep,
It has come to our attention that the recent introduction of food waste bins in the New Forest National Park has resulted in alarming situations involving free-roaming donkeys. Reports illustrate a distressing sight, with donkeys repeatedly breaking into these bins, leading to chaos on public roads. This behavior not only poses immediate dangers to the donkeys but also raises significant concerns about the spread of potentially lethal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever.
Community members, including local commoners, have voiced urgent concerns regarding this situation, noting that the current advice to leave these bins outside is irresponsible. The donkeys, vital for maintaining the ecological integrity of the National Park, are reportedly being put at substantial risk due to the reckless oversight concerning food waste management.
For the well-being of both the donkeys and the broader community, it is imperative that the New Forest District Council revises its policies surrounding food waste bin placements. Immediate actions must include instructions to keep these bins secured within property gates and consider the installation of more secure locking mechanisms. We urge you to act swiftly to protect these animals and prevent the spread of disease.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pixabay
