Scottish Animal Welfare Commission: lower noise fireworks and other alternatives to reduce harm to animals

Letter to Minister for Victims and Community Safety (9 December 2024)

Dear Minister

Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles – promotion of FCZ, lower noise fireworks and other alternatives to reduce harm to animals

The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) welcomes the implementation this year of some of the provisions of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, including the creation of Firework Control Zones (FCZ) in specified areas. 

Creation of FCZ to protect animals

We note the creation of FCZ around certain animal facilities such as the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home and the Scottish SPCA Animal Welfare Centre in Balerno. We understand, however, that local authorities are taking different approaches to FCZ around animal welfare facilities, or to FCZ in general. SAWC hopes that more local authorities will exercise their powers in future years to protect a greater number of facilities where vulnerable animals are present. 

Promotion of lower noise alternatives

We are aware of the Scottish Government’s decision to extend the timeframe for delivery and implementation of the firework licensing requirement (Part 2 of the Act) to 2026 and to pause the implementation of restrictions to the days of supply and use of fireworks (within Part 3 of the Act).

In this context, we write now to ask what progress the Scottish Government has made towards the aim of educating the public on the availability of lower noise fireworks, as well as promoting lower noise fireworks as part of the proposed fireworks licensing training course.  

In her response to the Criminal Justice Committee’s Stage 1 report on the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill in May 2020, the then Minister for Community Safety, Ash Regan, undertook to  “continue to develop and run public awareness raising campaigns in advance of the bonfire season”.  One of the Committee’s recommendations (paragraph 136) was, “that the Scottish Government works with the fireworks industry to educate the public to the availability of lower noise fireworks. This could be through an improved communications and a public information campaign. The Scottish Government may also wish to include information on the availability of lower noise fireworks as part of the online training course members of the public will have to undertake in advance of applying for a fireworks licence.”

The Committee also asked the Scottish Government (paragraph 137) to work collaboratively with the fireworks industry, and the relevant UK standards and regulatory authorities, on any standard or specification to identify or distinguish lower-noise fireworks.  The Minister agreed, during the Stage 1 debate, that lower noise fireworks had the potential to address some of the animal welfare issues and confirmed that she would keep the matter under review.

SAWC would be keen to learn whether these initiatives are receiving attention even though the licensing provisions of the Act have not yet been commenced.

Harm to animals caused by fireworks

Regrettably, SAWC continues to be aware of severe distress caused to companion animals, farmed animals, zoos and wildlife by firework noise (and light).  One correspondent has recently written to SAWC describing it as “heartbreaking” to see his “poor terrified and inconsolable 10-year-old Lab try to get away from the inescapable, relentless bangs.”  On 14 November 2024, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland announced the deaths of two red pandas, including a four-month-old kit, which it ascribed to stress caused by firework noise. Media reports highlight incidents of animals being involved in accidents while fleeing firework noise, as well as disturbance to wildlife including wild birds alarmed during their night-time roosting.

Examples of species-specific fear or stress reactions to fireworks in dogs, cats, horses, livestock and wildlife are set out in the British Veterinary Association (BVA) policy statement on the use and sale of fireworks. These impacts can be caused by either continual low level firework activity over many days, or by noise and light from organised displays.

May we draw your attention to the report Out with the bang: Examining the case for alternatives to traditional fireworks published in October 2024 by the Social Market Foundation.  SAWC acknowledges that lower noise fireworks are not a panacea to the continuing problem of distress and injury to animals caused by firework use.  Usefully, this report discusses a range of alternatives to traditional fireworks including quiet fireworks, laser shows, light shows and drone shows, noting their advantages and disadvantages, along with polling results that indicate growing public interest in the use of alternatives.

SAWC has a statutory function of providing advice to the Scottish Ministers on matters concerning the welfare of protected animals (Scottish Animal Welfare Commission Regulations, Regulation 5).  We would therefore welcome your view as to whether further discussion with SAWC, regarding alternatives to traditional loud fireworks and other relevant animal welfare issues, would be beneficial.

Yours sincerely
Professor Cathy Dwyer
Chair
Scottish Animal Welfare Commission