Research by Anglia Ruskin University:

“Fear, including the fear of loud noises, is deeply rooted in the evolutionary history of all animals. Shying away from dangerous situations increases survival. For example, hiding away from loud thunderstorms and running away from the noise of falling rocks might save an animal’s life.

“But there is nowhere to hide from fireworks. What must it be like for the wild animals that delight us on walks and picnics to be confronted with such an inescapable barrage of sound?

“Unfortunately, scientists don’t know much about exactly how fireworks impact animals as they’re difficult to observe at night. But what we have learned is alarming. Our recent study, one of the first to study how fireworks affect wildlife, showed how physically distressed animals – in this case geese – were made by New Year’s firework celebrations.”

https://theconversation.com/fireworks-growing-evidence-they-distress-animals-builds-case-to-restrict-use-191472

THIS IS MASSIVE

Eleven organisations have signed an open letter to the Government asking for a review of fireworks sale and use. These are the BVA, Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Blue Cross, Cats Protection, Children’s Burns Trust, Combat Stress, Dan’s Fund for Burns, Help for Heroes, The Kennel Club and PTSD UK.

The letter urges the UK Government to follow in the Scottish Government’s footsteps by committing to a review of the sale and use of fireworks and their impact on animals and people.

The text of the open letter reads:

“We are writing on behalf of a number of organisations that work to improve the welfare of both people and animals, to urge your department to undertake a review of fireworks legislation.

“Current easy access to fireworks is a serious concern for animals that suffer from noise fear, as well as vulnerable people such as those that suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, veterans, or children, young people and adults who are at high risk of being burned at private or public displays. In the lead-up to fireworks season and the heightened use of fireworks that occurs as part of this, we are increasingly concerned about the impact of fireworks on these groups.

“Although there have been several Government awareness campaigns around fireworks, there has been no legislative commitment to a review of fireworks and their impact on people and animal welfare.

“You will be aware that, in June of this year, the Scottish Parliament passed the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Articles (Scotland) Bill. Once the relevant provisions come into force, the Bill will introduce fireworks licensing in Scotland and specifies that fireworks can only be supplied to, and used by, members of the public only on certain dates (around celebration periods). It also grants local authorities the powers to set-up ‘firework control zones’. The Welsh Government has also indicated it is supportive of UK-wide restrictions on fireworks to avoid border crossing purchasing to circumvent devolved legislation.

“We urge your department to follow suit and to look at reviewing where and when fireworks can be used elsewhere in the UK. Currently, too many animals and people are suffering the consequences of insufficient existing legislation. We strongly believe that this must change.

“We would welcome an opportunity to meet with you to discuss our concerns in more detail.”

The RSPCA are also asking for the same thing and requesting people to click on this link to email their MP (the letter is already written for you): https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks

Please also keep the pressure up by signing petitions. This is the current government one https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/616868 and this is our 1,000,000 signature petition which will be handed in to Downing Street when the time is right https://www.change.org/…/officeforsands-review-firework…

Please support this action by clicking here. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and fill in your details. It will find your MP and you just need to click on “email your MP”

The RSPCA are asking the UK Government to follow Scotland’s lead and introduce legislation for the following:

• Limit the sale of fireworks for Bonfire Night from 29 October to 5 November and limit the days they can be let off. At present fireworks can be sold from 15 October to 10 November and this can prolong the period when fireworks are let off. The restrictions for the sale of fireworks for other traditional dates are only a few days.
• Introduce firework control zones to provide better protection to vulnerable people and animals. Such zones are used elsewhere in the world. We feel they could be used effectively to protect animals, in particular in localised areas. An example is no fireworks being allowed near where horses are kept, sensitive wildlife areas, farms or zoos.
• Introduce a licensing system for the purchase and sale of fireworks by and to members of the public. This would place a sensible limit on access to fireworks. It’ll require those wishing to purchase fireworks to attend a training course, improving safety and awareness of their impact. We’d like to see the impact of fireworks on animals and people form part of any training course.
• Reduce the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks for public sale from 120dB to 90dB. Setting the limit at 90dB would be consistent with the approach in other countries. It’ll encourage manufacturers to design and produce quieter fireworks.

#bangoutoforder

https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks

Scotland leads the way on firework legislation proving that things can change and persistence pays off. This is happening because MPs listened when their constituents contacted them. This can happen in the rest of the UK but your MP needs to hear from you. It’s easy using https://www.writetothem.com. Just tell them your experiences – if you don’t tell them they won’t know

I’m taking the Firework Campaign 1 million signature petition to 10 Downing Street. Please complete our survey so I have some data to take with me

https://forms.gle/acxf1oDQs8qbg7eL7

Whoo hoooo!! We have reached 1 million signatures on our petition. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SIGNED AND SHARED. The petition will still accept signatures so please continue the good work. The more the better, in this case. I will now apply for an appointment to hand it in at NO 10. Watch this space for photos.

https://www.change.org/p/officeforsands-review-firework-rules-to-protect-animals-from-injury-and-distress

The Misuse Of Fireworks Bill was presented in Parliament on 21 January 2022 for its second reading. The transcript can be read here. The debate was adjourned to be resumed on Friday 18 March 2022.

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2022-01-21a.686.0&p=11732

WHY? This is important as ministers want facts and figures and they get these from incidents reported to the police, the RSPCA and BHS. Please don’t tell us “there’s no point” or “they won’t do anything”. If you don’t report the issue then as far as the authorities are concerned it didn’t happen.

HOW? 

 
Please report ALL illegal fireworks to the police https://fireworkcampaign.com/the-law/

More than 50% of police forces now have an easy way to report illegal firework use online. You can check if your force is one of them here https://fireworkcampaign.com/the-law/

Other forces need to be contacted by phone on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Insist that your report is logged.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

Please report ALL problems regarding animals to the RSPCA https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TKWMJJC  or on 0300 1234 999

and ALL problems regarding horses to BHS via their website  or https://www.bhs.org.uk/our-work/safety/report-an-incident/report-an-incident or their app – Horse i

All the information you need is here https://fireworkcampaign.com/the-law/

Jacob Rees-Mogg says “Fireworks are a little bit of harmless fun” https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/…/19687289.they…/. Apparently he has no idea of what distress and trauma they cause. But we do. That’s why we’ve been campaigning for a change in firework law since 2013.

You can help:

1. EMAIL YOUR MP – do this now on https://www.writetothem.com/. Mark it URGENT. Tell them how fireworks affect you and ask them to attend Monday’s debate on your behalf.

2. SIGN petitions. Click here to see current petitions

3. REPORT. Please report ALL problems with fireworks affecting animals on the RSPCA log https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TKWMJJC

Please report ALL illegal fireworks to the police. Click here for how to report

STOP PRESS: The RSPCA reporting log has gone live. Please use it to report any problems you have with fireworks/animals.

CLICK HERE TO REPORT

The government need facts and figures before they take any action. Up to now there have been no official figures because no one is collecting and collating the information. This is an official RSPCA initiative to provide government with the information they need.

PLEASE USE IT

Although it may look like a one off survey it can be completed as many times as you need.

We understand that you may want to check it is bona fide before completing so you can find it on the RSPCA website.

From their main page https://www.rspca.org.uk/ go to the menu and select:

• Get Involved
  • Campaign
    • Fireworks

Scroll down the page until you see the green box with “share your story”

Click on the “share your fireworks story” button to begin.

You can see the RSPCA privacy notice at the bottom of their page.