Fireworks Campaign Update
September has arrived. That means the start of fireworks season is just around the corner, and we want to share with you what we’ve been up to as part of our campaign to ban the public sale of fireworks around the UK, as well as some key actions you can take to help make our animals safer.
While the legislation passed last year by the Scottish Parliament is a step in the right direction, we don’t believe it goes far enough. That’s why we have turned our attention to Westminster to get fireworks off our supermarket shelves altogether. For one week only in November each year charities, fire services and MPs of all parties agree about the harm caused by fireworks, and nothing happens. Here at Animal Concern, we want to keep the conversation alive all year round until something finally happens.
Over the summer, our efforts have been gaining momentum thanks to your unwavering support and the dedication of a handful of passionate Members of Parliament who share our concerns about the impact of unlicensed firework displays on animal welfare, public safety and the environment.
We’re pleased to report that we’ve had some great conversations with MPs who stand firmly behind our cause. Patricia Gibson MP (North Ayrshire & Arran), Alison Thewliss MP (Glasgow City), Alyn Smith MP (Stirling), Sarah Owen MP (Luton North) and Dame Nia Griffith (Llanelli) have all pledged their full support for a ban on the public sale of fireworks. Their commitment to this issue has led them to reach out to relevant Government Ministers and the Home Office, requesting meetings to initiate discussions in Westminster.
Furthermore, these MPs have generously connected us with their colleagues who share our passion and values. This widening network of support is a crucial step towards garnering the attention and backing needed to effect meaningful change.
Alyn Smith has engaged with Stirling Council to explore the possibility of organising an animal-friendly fireworks display for this year’s bonfire night or Hogmanay (New Year). Such displays, as witnessed in Cardiff, Mercia Marina, and Eaglesham, prioritise the enjoyment of celebrations without causing distress to wildlife, farm and companion animals. Innovations such as laser light shows, animations, LED lights and drone displays have proven that entertainment can coexist harmoniously with animal welfare.
In Scotland, the implementation of the Fireworks & Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 has shifted the landscape of fireworks regulations, including most recently with the introduction of new powers for Scottish local authorities to designate Firework Control Zones, inside which private unlicensed displays would be prohibited. We have proactively contacted all 32 local councils’ leaders and chief executives to inquire about their efforts in designating these zones within their jurisdictions. Out of those councils who have responded (name-checked below), pretty well all have expressed challenges in preparing control zones proposals and public consultations ahead of the upcoming fireworks season.
Councils who have responded: Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Perth and Kinross, Fife, Renfrewshire, Argyll & Bute, West Lothian and Aberdeen City.
We have acknowledged their responses but expressed our disappointment at the delay in action (especially given they have had this new power since June). We only hope that all councils are doing their utmost to expedite the creation of these zones in time for Hogmanay and prioritise the safety and well being of both non-human and human residents.
Your involvement remains instrumental in driving this campaign forward. Here are three things you can do to help:
1. If you reside in Scotland and your local council is not listed above, please consider reaching out to them, urging them to prioritise the designation of firework control zones to drastically limit the number of unlicensed displays For suggested wording and a link to a table with council’s email addresses, see here.
2. Sign the Government petition for a ban on the public sale of fireworks in the UK. Your consistent support ensure that this issue remains in the spotlight and compels Westminster to take action. It needs to get to 10,000 signatures for the government to respond, so it needs all the help it can get!
3. Instead of attending your local fireworks display this year, consider advocating for animal-friendly alternatives or redirecting your funds to support local animal shelters, who will be going through a living hell on the nights when fireworks are being let off nearby. Or of course you can make a donation towards our campaign here.
It’s time for the UK Government to take real action to mitigate some of the trauma that’s visited multiple times a year by unlicensed fireworks displays. It’s not just animals who suffer; new born babies, people living with autism, veterans and refugees with post-traumatic stress from experiences of war or conflict, as well as anyone unfortunate enough to be embroiled in firework-related anti-social behaviour. Not to mention the pollution of our air. Fireworks release carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, as well as chemical elements Barium, Strontium and Cadmium, all of which are known to compromise air quality. We have to get much more serious about how we regulate fireworks, acknowledge their dangers, and act responsibly by ensuring only qualified, licensed professionals can operate them.