Take Action: Consultation on Fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK

Fireworks cause deep distress to animals multiple times a year. Setting off what is essentially a series of explosives can without warning cause untold physical, mental, and emotional trauma to any animals within sight or earshot of them. As a result, wildlife, farmed animals, and companion animals can run away, injure themselves through stress or even die from shock.

Pictured: Jade had to be put down due to distress caused by fireworks set off for Halloween

Now, we have a chance to change this. On the 16th of July, the UK Government launched an open consultation on fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK. The Office for Product Safety & Standards launched the consultation “to find an approach that preserves the enjoyment of fireworks for celebrations while preventing harm and distress to others.”

The Ministerial Forward to the consultation notes that “Fireworks play an important role in many public celebrations, community events and personal milestones, and are enjoyed responsibly by millions of people each year. However, I recognise that views on their use vary considerably. Many people have expressed serious concerns about the noise, safety risks and distress that fireworks can cause, and these concerns have driven an unprecedented level of public campaigning for change.”

Pictured: Tallulah collapsed in shock due and passed away because of fireworks set off on New Years Day

Although Animal Concern is campaigning for a ban on fireworks across the UK, we recognise that this is an important step towards making the country safer for animals and people alike. We believe that a regulated ban on the public sale and release of F2 and F3 category fireworks (the ones which cause noise and distress) would be the simplest way of ensuring the welfare of the animal population — whether wild, farmed or companion. We promote alternative light displays that are safe, environmentally friendly and quiet, and are engaging with Local Authorities and venues across Scotland to sign our pledge to stop the dangers caused by fireworks.

Pictured: 25 year old Murphy had to be put down due to distress caused by fireworks on New Year’s Day

The Office for Product Safety & Standards is seeking views on proposals to:

• restrict the availability of noisier fireworks to the general public, with louder products only available to professional users

• add products deemed to be carrying unacceptable risks to the list of existing banned pyrotechnic products set out in regulation 33 of the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (as amended) (“the 2015 Regulations”)

• review the regulations for fireworks and pyrotechnic products currently classified as lower risk to better reflect the different levels of risk they pose

The public can respond to the consultation up until its deadline on the 7th of October 2026. Give your views now to let the Government know that fireworks have no place in the 21st century, and that the welfare of people and animals should take precedence over the momentary enjoyment they cause.

Find out more about our campaign to ban fireworks and the alternatives available here.