City Wide Ban on Fireworks?
Thanks to the many who took part in the Glasgow consultation into Firework Control Zones, we were partially successful and achieved a ban in the Pollokshields area.
However, the Council listened to our plea to extend the Firework Control Zone to the whole of Glasgow and a new consultation on this has just been launched. If you live in Glasgow please take part, even if you participated in the first consultation.
If you're not in Glasgow, you can still help by encouraging any contacts you know in Glasgow to participate! The more who participate, the closer we get to an all-out ban. Closing date is 20th October.
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GlasgowFireworksControlZone/
Animal Concern has already completed the survey and it takes less than 5 minutes.
OTHER PARTS OF SCOTLAND: Although we don’t have full details, several other Scottish local authorities are currently consulting on this. Please check to see if your Council is one of them and participate and encourage friends and families to do likewise. If your Council is not considering bringing in Firework Control Zones ask them why not?
See our example letter to Council here.
UK WIDE: It will be a massive task to persuade all Scottish local authorities to ban fireworks. This is because, like banning the release of balloons and sky lanterns, the real power on this is reserved to Westminster. That’s why we need to lobby our MPs and ask them to do what they can to obtain a UK-wide ban on the private ownership and use of fireworks.
You can contact your MP via: https://www.writetothem.com/
The Firework Control Zones already declared in Edinburgh and Glasgow are in areas where fireworks have been used as weapons in street disturbances. However, people shouldn’t have to wait for a riot before action is taken.
Fireworks cause stress, suffering and death to wild animals, companion animals and animals on farms. They cause injury to and fear and stress in people, especially those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Fireworks should be banned from private ownership and use. When lobbying politicians and taking part in consultations make it clear there are far more reasons for banning fireworks than their misuse by troublemakers. Let’s give this campaign an extra push in the run-up to bonfire night.
As the fireworks season approaches please take a note of any incidents and let us know about them. More importantly, even if you are not lucky enough to live in a Firework Control Zone, report any incidents to the police.