The subject of limiting the sale and use of fireworks to licence holders only will be debated in Parliament on Monday 9 December.
The debate has been brought on following pressure from The Firework Campaign, a UK based non-profit national campaign and government pressure group, who has asked the government to take seriously the issue of fireworks and the affect they have on many people and animals.
The Fireworks Group has been campaigning on the issue of fireworks misuse since 2013 and its work has produced six government petitions with over 100,000 signatories, five of which led to debates.
This year’s petition asking for the sale and use of fireworks to be limited to licence holders only had attracted over 72,000 signatures at the time of writing. To add your name to the petition click here.
So far, the debates have led to The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill, The Petitions Committee Inquiry, and The Office for Product Safety and Standards agreeing to collect data to better inform their statements, replies and decisions.
Tragic consequences
In recent years, three ponies have died at Redwings Horse Sanctuary as a result of fireworks being set off near their centres. Consequently, the charity has been very vocal on the issue and in 2023 published footage showing the effect fireworks has had on its residents.
Redwings also produced a report stating the Animal Welfare Act does not offer protection for those pets or livestock caused to suffer because of firework displays. In March, the charity brought together experts in animal welfare and legislation for a roundtable on the subject.
“The roundtable discussion raised multiple reasons why the Animal Welfare Act, while doing a fantastic job of enabling those who neglect or abuse animals to be brought to account, is not designed to apply in situations where someone letting off fireworks inadvertently causes death, injury, illness or trauma to an animal,” said Helen Whitelegg, Redwings’ campaigns and policy manager, earlier this year.
“When you hear a barrister with 22 years of experience, who has worked extensively with the Animal Welfare Act, say that he wishes the Act could be used in this way but that it simply can’t, and that it’s like trying to put a square peg in a round hole, you know something needs to change.”
The debate, which will take place at 16:30 on 9 December and be led by Robbie Moore MP, will be available to watch online on the UK Parliament YouTube channel.
