11 December 2023

Redwings joins calls for fireworks legislation review

Redwings joined a group of animal and human welfare charities at a drop-in event for MPs to call for a review of fireworks legislation.

Ahead of New Year’s Eve fireworks season, our Research and Policy Officer, Helen Whitelegg, travelled to the House of Commons to meet with MPs to highlight the harmful effects of fireworks on animals and people.

The event was hosted by the Fireworks Working Group (pictured above) which unites 16 charities, including Redwings, British Horse Society, Dogs Trust, British Veterinary Association, Cats Protection, Combat Stress, PTSD UK and the Children's Burns Trust, among others.

The group is calling on the UK government to conduct a review of existing fireworks legislation and for the introduction of further restrictions on where and when they can be used.

Horses die or are injured in firework-related incidents every year. Tragically, three horses have died at the Sanctuary in recent years because of fireworks being set off near our centres.

Through better regulating the use of fireworks, we hope to limit the unnecessary distress that can be inflicted on so many people and animals during fireworks season, which often lasts continuously for many evenings around key events such as Guy Fawkes Night, Diwali and New Year's Eve.

While charities can provide advice on coping with the noise, the Government can play their part in reducing the stress by bringing forward legislation that allows those affected to prepare or avoid displays altogether.

Following this year’s Guy Fawkes Night, we released a video to show the distress caused to our horses by nearby displays.

“Horses die or are injured in fireworks-related incidents every year and Redwings wholeheartedly welcomes the tighter regulations that Scotland has introduced and is calling on Westminster to follow their lead.”
Helen Whitelegg, Redwings Research and Policy Officer

Supporting change

Helen Whitelegg said: “Currently, legislation in England and Wales allows fireworks to be set off legally on private property by any adult between 7.00am and 11.00pm every day of the year, except for Bonfire Night, when the cut off is extended until midnight, and New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is extended until 1am. It is not a legal requirement to have any form of licence or training to let off consumer fireworks.

“Last year the Scottish Parliament passed the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Articles (Scotland) Bill which will tighten regulations in the country. Once the relevant provisions come into force, the Bill will introduce fireworks licensing and they will only be allowed to be supplied to, and used by, members of the public on certain dates around celebration periods. The Bill also grants local authorities the powers to set up ‘firework control zones’, though this is a lengthy, complex process requiring a public consultation and at least a 60-day notice period.

“Horses die or are injured in fireworks-related incidents every year and Redwings wholeheartedly welcomes the tighter regulations that Scotland has introduced and is calling on Westminster to follow their lead.”

Counting the cost

Recently, in a special podcast (see above), we revealed that we spent an extra £300 a night on additional staffing and forage to help protect horses from the adverse effects of fireworks at our south Norfolk centres last year. Staff were brought in for 50 extra hours during four nights in October and November, to counter any incidents caused by firework displays happening nearby. The total bill for the measures was almost £1,500.

Lynn Cutress, Redwings' Chief Executive, said: “We increase our staffing levels at sites where we don’t have live-in staff over the fireworks season so that we can make more regular checks on our residents, in addition to making lots of other provisions, including putting out additional forage.

“As a prey species, horses are naturally fearful of loud noises. When they’re stressed and frightened, they can exhibit ‘flight’ behaviours, like galloping to the point of exhaustion or trying to escape their enclosure because they feel unsafe. This can be dangerous for the horse and any people who are near them, including potentially road users if horses become loose.

“The financial cost of the extra measures we take during the fireworks season is not insignificant to a charity like ours, but obviously our residents’ welfare is our top priority.”