Scottish Government Consultation on Fireworks
May 12th 2019: Animal Concern Advice Line has made a submission to the Scottish Government Consultation on Fireworks
Response ID ANON-1EGW-MEBS-U
Submitted to A consultation on fireworks in Scotland: Your experiences, your ideas, your views
Submitted on 2019-05-12 06:44:41
Part One: How are fireworks used in Scotland?
1 What is the main way you typically enjoy and experience fireworks?
Attend large public organised events with more than 500 people attending
If other, please provide details.:
2 Would you say that fireworks form an important part of celebration events for you?
No
3 Have you been affected by fireworks being used in an irresponsible or unsafe way?
Yes
If yes, please provide details.:
When living in Glasgow we had fireworks put through our letterbox a couple of times. More importantly, in my work with Animal Concern Advice Line, I have, over the years, dealt with hundreds of calls from people whose pets are terrified by fireworks, sometimes for weeks before 5th November. There were at least two cases when pet birds died of shock due to fireworks. This included one budgie breeder who lost many of his birds when a very powerful firework, set off quite legally by a neighbour, exploded high above his garden aviary.
Part Two: Legislation and Regulation
4 Do you think there should be more controls over the sale of fireworks?
Yes
If Yes, please tell us what controls you would like to see in place. If No, please tell us why you do not feel more controls are needed.:
Westminster should ban the sale of fireworks to, and the owning of fireworks by, the general public with ownership of fireworks restricted to qualified, licensed pyrotechnic experts employed to carry out public fireworks displays. If Westminster will not do this they should devolve the power to do so to Holyrood.
5 What are your views on banning the sale of fireworks to the public in Scotland?
Yes, I would welcome a ban on the sale of fireworks.
If Yes, please tell us why you would welcome a ban. If No, please tell us why you would not welcome a ban.:
Fireworks should be restricted to licensed public displays run by qualified experts.
6 Do you think there should be more controls on how fireworks can be used in Scotland?
Yes
If Yes, please tell us what controls you would like to see in place. If No, please tell us why not.:
Ban private ownership and use of fireworks allowing only licensed public displays on a very few specific dates in the year such as Hogmanay and 5th November.
Part Three: Prevention and Community Involvement
7 What do you think could be done by national and local partners to further prevent the misuse of fireworks?:
Ban them from public ownership and use.
8 What ways do you think communities could be involved in supporting the safe use of fireworks?
Local Councils should licence and control fireworks displays allowing such displays only on specific days and only allowing licensed experts to handle and set–off the fireworks.
We would like to hear any examples of how your community is involved in organising or promoting the safe and responsible use of fireworks.:
The Round Table or Chamber of Commerce organise an annual Guy Fawkes bonfire and fireworks display in Helensburgh every year. The event is well managed and well attended.
9 What do you think could be done to raise awareness of the risks of fireworks misuse among the public?
We have been raising awareness since Guy Fawkes was still warm – it's time to ban domestic ownership and use of fireworks
Part Four: Animal Welfare
10 Do you think that there should be more controls to make sure animals are not caused unnecessary suffering because of the use of fireworks?
Yes
If Yes, please tell us what controls you would like to see in place. If No, please tell us why you do not feel more controls are needed.:
At Animal Concern Advice Line I have to deal with the public whose pets are turned into quivering wrecks for weeks every year due to fireworks. The ONLY way to solve this is to restrict fireworks to licensed public displays which must advertise the event at least four works prior both in the local media and by leafletting all homes within quarter of a mile of the event.
We would like to hear any examples of how you or your community acts to reduce the impact of fireworks on animals.:
I have had to advise people to keep animals inside with the TV or radio on during fireworks events. In the worse cases animals have to be sedated by vets. This is of no use when you do not know where or when you are going to encounter fireworks. Organised, advertised public displays must replace private use of fireworks
About you
What is your name?
Name:
John F Robins
What is your email address?
Email:
acal@jfrobins.force9.co.uk
Are you responding as an individual or an organisation?
Organisation
What is your organisation?
Organisation: Animal Concern Advice Line.
The Scottish Government would like your permission to publish your consultation response. Please indicate your preference:
Publish response with name
We will share your response internally with other Scottish Government policy teams who may be addressing the issues you discuss. They may wish to contact you again in the future, but we require your permission to do so. Are you content for Scottish Government to contact you again in relation to this consultation exercise?
Yes
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