Ministers Weigh Quieter Fireworks After Consultation
The government is weighing tighter rules on fireworks after a consultation that closed earlier this month. Ministers have ruled out a complete ban on the public buying fireworks.
The proposals include making louder fireworks available only to professional users and expanding the list of fireworks banned for general sale. They would also lower the permitted noise level of consumer fireworks from 120dB to 110dB, which would roughly halve their loudness.
The consultation was run by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. In January a parliamentary debate covered noise and availability, with two petitions that each gathered more than 180,000 signatures. Changes will be made as soon as parliamentary time allows after the feedback has been analysed, the government said. There will be a six-month transitional period after the law changes.
Animal welfare and farming groups
Harriet Main of the RSPCA said the charity was thrilled by the consultation. "For too long, pets, wildlife, and livestock have suffered from stress, fright and severe injury caused by loud unregulated back-yard DIY displays," she said. The charity's own online action generated more than 51,000 responses.
Dr Gwen Rees, president of the British Veterinary Association, said lower noise limits would reduce one of the main causes of firework-related distress. She added that quieter fireworks are not a complete solution, because flashes and unpredictable timing can still affect animals.
The National Farmers' Union has also backed tighter regulation, citing animal welfare concerns and fire risks. One member reported losing around four acres of wheat after a firework landed in a standing crop during harvest.
Industry pushback
The British Fireworks Association has pushed back. It noted that many of the behaviours that frustrate communities, such as setting off fireworks in a public place or after 1am, are already illegal. Removing large numbers of legal and regulated products from the consumer market might push people towards hidden-market fireworks, it said.
In Scotland, "firework control zones" have had a mixed reception. Helen Whitelegg of the charity Redwings Horse Sanctuary said the zones create a two-tier system of protection. She said a licensing requirement for anyone using fireworks has been shelved due to lack of resources, with no indication of when it might be brought in. Redwings backs a maximum loudness of 90dB, as in New Zealand.
Other countries are also tightening rules. The Netherlands brought in a countrywide ban on most consumer fireworks in August, and Czechia has tightened its regulations. Swiss citizens vote on 29 November on a proposal to ban noisy fireworks.
Source: The Guardian