The government has announced that it is to support a private member's bill which will place stronger controls on the sale and use of fireworks.

Forum Response: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Matt Grainger, public affairs manager at The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, told ePolitix.com: "We are delighted that Home Office minister John Denham and Department of Trade and Industry minister Melanie Johnson have pledged the government's support for the Fireworks Bill, which is due to receive its Second Reading on Friday 28th February.

The Fireworks Bill, which was presented with cross-party support, offers hope to the hundreds of thousands of people who have voiced their concerns over the extended and inconsiderate use of fireworks.

"Every year, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has to retire a number of guide dogs who have become so traumatised that they are unable to continue working. Many others have to be retrained and hundreds more have to be sedated to help them cope.

As well as the great distress suffered by the dogs, their owners are left without the mobility and independence which their guide dogs offer and which they rely on. In addition, Guide Dogs loses an estimated £150,000-£200,000 of publicly-donated money as a direct result of the effects fireworks can have on guide dogs.

"Guide Dogs and COSLA have led the support for Bill Tynan's Bill and have been joined by a wide range of voluntary and community organisations representing the views of older people, parents of young children, farmers, pet owners, blind and partially sighted people, deaf and hard of hearing people and many others, including representatives of the fireworks industry itself."Our petition calling for controls over the sale and use of fireworks has attracted over 75,000 names to date and adds to two previous, similar petitions which jointly attracted around 250,000 names. This means that well over 300,000 people have specifically called for new fireworks controls and we know that many more support our aims but have yet to sign the petition.

"We strongly urge Members of Parliament to lend their support to this important Bill and to help improve the quality of life of many of their constituents. We do not want to spoil anyone's fun, but we do want to see a more responsible and considerate approach taken to the sale and use of fireworks. We believe that Bill Tynan's Fireworks Bill can achieve this and we would like to thank him for tackling this issue."

Forum Response: RSPCA

Chris Laurence, chief veterinary officer at the RSPCA, said: "The RSPCA believes urgent measures must be taken to stop distress and injury to animals.

"There is a voluntary ban on the fireworks industry selling fireworks louder than 120dB but suffering to animals would be reduced if these fireworks were sold only to professionals for public displays, which should be organized according to strict guidelines. Also we would like to see shops selling fireworks to the public required to have a licence."