MP Presents an Amendment to the Fireworks Act

21st December 2005

On Tuesday 20th December 2005 David Amess MP presented a 10 Minute Rule Bill that proposed amendments to the Fireworks Act 2003.

The Bill will amend the Act in order to limit the maximum noise level of a category 3 firework sold to the general public to 97 decibels. The Bill will not ban louder fireworks used at public displays, it will only limit the types of firework that can be bought by a member of the public wanting to use them in a back garden.

The Fireworks Act 2003 enables Regulations to be made for the purpose of securing that there is no risk, or minimum risk compatible with the use of consequences to (amongst other areas) death of or injury or distress to animals. The RSPCA does not believe that the regulations made under this Act have made any difference to the level of distress animals endure.

This is because the current noise limit set by the Regulations is 120 decibels, this is equivalent to a jet aircraft taking off. The RSPCA believes that this is much too loud and that 97 decibels, a noise level similar to that of a car door slamming would help reduce the distress and suffering loud fireworks cause animals.

Claims that the legislation has made a difference are unfounded. Research commissioned by the RSPCA shows that none of the fireworks we tested (which can be bought by a member of the public) reached 120 decibels – the loudest firework we tested was 116 decibels. This indicates that the complaints we get from members of the public are actually about fireworks that are only 116 decibels. Effectively, the legislation has had no effect.

The amount of support the RSPCA has on this issue is staggering. In October 2003, 78% of the public agreed loud fireworks should only be allowed at public displays. In November that year, 90,000 people signed a petition given to the Prime Minister calling for quieter fireworks. More than 4000 members of the public texted in messages of support of quiet fireworks in 2004. In 2004, a survey of vets indicated 682 incidents of animals treated for distress and injuries. Between 4th November and 6th November 2005 the Society received 255 calls compared to 140 during the same time period last year.

David said

‘I was delighted to work with the RSPCA to bring this Bill forward. If passed, it would at long last relieve the suffering of so many animals that are subjected to needless trauma from fireworks each year while allowing the public firework displays that are part of our national tradition to continue unaffected.’