Firework noise limit should be drastically cut to protect wild animals, UK government told
Summary
The Center for Wild Animal Welfare is urging the UK government to cap the noise of fireworks sold to the public at 90 decibels, rather than the 110-decibel limit under consultation. Campaigners say the lower limit would reduce the area disturbed by fireworks and help prevent harm to wildlife, especially birds.Key Facts
- The current maximum noise level for fireworks sold to the public is 120 decibels.
- The UK government recently consulted on lowering the maximum to 110 decibels.
- The Center for Wild Animal Welfare says a 90-decibel limit would make the area disturbed by each firework about 100 times smaller than under the government’s proposal.
- Wildlife impacts linked to fireworks include stress, disrupted migration, temporary displacement and collisions.
- More than 1,000 birds were found dead near a trail in Bulgaria on New Year’s Day 2025, after fireworks were set off nearby.
- The UK consultation also considered expanding the list of fireworks banned from general sale and reviewing rules for lower-risk products.
- New Zealand introduced a 90-decibel limit on consumer fireworks in 2008, but the UK consultation noted concerns about how such a limit could be defined and enforced.
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