Scottish Animal Welfare Commission: lower noise fireworks and other alternatives - December 2024 to September 2025

Letter from Minister for Victims and Community Safety (7 July 2025)

Dear Cathy

Fireworks and Firework Control Zones

Following our previous correspondence, I understand that the Commission recently met with officials to discuss the impact of fireworks, including how noise affects animals. I am advised that the Commission is to consider this issue further including possibly liaising with the UK Animal Welfare Committee, as questions surrounding a complete ban on the sale of fireworks, or lower noise fireworks are reserved to the UK government.

You are aware that Firework Control Zones in Scotland are a measure that enables Local Authorities to designate an area where it will be an offence for the public to use fireworks, with fireworks only permitted to be used as part of a public display. I am aware that both Glasgow and Edinburgh have been consulting on a number of Firework Control Zones and some of these follow community requests. I wanted to highlight to you and your members that there is now limited time for Local Authorities to designate a firework control zone in advance of Bonfire Night 2025, so any community requests would be required very soon. This is because there is a need to discharge legal requirements, including a consultation on any proposed zone and if a decision is made to proceed with a proposed firework control zone, a decision document must be published at least 60 days before the day on which the proposal is to have effect.

I hope this is helpful.

Yours sincerely

Siobhian Brown