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New group to discuss tighter restrictions on fireworks
The group will present its final recommendations to ministers in summer 2020.

Review follows overwhelming public support for change

A new group which aims to consider current legislation around the use of fireworks in Scotland, has announced its membership.

The Firework Review group – which includes the BVA, the Scottish SPCA, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA), and many other key organisations – has been created following the launch of the Scottish government’s Fireworks Action Plan ‘Promoting the Safe and Appropriate Use of Fireworks in Scotland’.

The action plan outlines a number of planned activities from the Scottish government with the goal of creating tighter restrictions on fireworks and improving firework safety in Scotland. These activities include running awareness campaigns; discussing current and future legislation with the UK Government and supporting publicly organised displays and local communities.

In a public consultation conducted as part of the action plan, 92 per cent of people felt that there should be tighter controls on the use of fireworks, and 93 per cent wanted to see stricter regulations to reduce the unnecessary suffering that animals experience as a result of fireworks.

Planned to be in operation for up to nine months, the group will discuss available options to restrict the use of fireworks on public property and the times at which they can be let off. Presenting its final recommendations to ministers in summer 2020.

Community safety minister Ash Denham, who launched the Fireworks Action Plan, commented: “I am delighted to announce membership of the review group which will now consider how best to use the powers at our disposal to ensure fireworks are used safely and do not cause harm, distress or serious injury.

“The results of both our public consultation and national survey demonstrate overwhelming public support for a change in how fireworks are sold and used, and this group will have a vital role in informing our approach.”

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.