Greens call for end to private firework sales
As Scotland marks another bonfire night, the Scottish Greens have called for an end to the private sale of fireworks due to the stress and harm they cause to vulnerable people, pets and wildlife.
Last year Edinburgh Zoo tragically reported the death of Roxie, a four-month-old red panda, from stress caused by fireworks in nearby residential areas.
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said:
“For a lot of people and animals, the period from the end of October to Hogmanay can be a dangerous and stressful time, and bonfire night is often the worst of it.
“We saw that last year with the tragic and avoidable death of Roxie in Edinburgh zoo, and there are many others who felt a great deal of anxiety.
“Fireworks are explosives and they are consistently misused but controls are minimal.
“There is a place for organised and well-managed events and displays, which can be important community celebrations that bring people together. But that does not justify the widespread sale of fireworks or the kind of dangerous, unorganised displays that we have seen in too many residential areas.
“Scottish Green MSPs and Councillors have led campaigns to introduce Firework Control Zones in our cities and towns, which has limited the impact in some areas. I hope that we can build on that and finally secure an end to private sales.”