Belgian mayors call for Europe-wide ban on fireworks

Belgium is discussing the possibility of banning the sale of fireworks to private individuals, following an increase in injuries on New Year’s Eve. While the Flemish mayors are calling for a Europe-wide ban on the sale of fireworks, animal rights groups argue that a national ban should come first, on Thursday, the 2nd of January, reports Politico.

Several Belgian municipalities have already introduced local bans on the sale of fireworks, and the Flemish Association of Cities and Municipalities (VVSG) says that four out of five Flemish mayors would like to see a national ban.

“Year after year we see that there are casualties, that people are injured in their legs and arms,” said Nathalie Debast of the advocacy group to Politico. “We also see some people using fireworks to attack rescue workers and police officers. It has escalated quite a lot.”

Even in Brussels, where fireworks are banned locally, several rockets and firecrackers were set off in the city centre. In the Belgian capital, 159 arrests were made on New Year’s Eve and police responded to more than 1 700 incidents across the city.

At least 60 cars were on fire and firefighters trying to put out the flames were pelted with stones and Molotov cocktails, in some cases forcing them to retreat, the Brussels fire service reported.

The VVSG believes that the sales ban should apply to all EU countries to prevent people from circumventing it by buying fireworks across the border.

But animal rights group GAIA remains sceptical about a Europe-wide ban. “When we hear that Europe has to do something, it is usually an excuse for politicians to do nothing in their own Member State,” GAIA Director Ann de Greef told Politico.

“I hope Belgium will finally ban fireworks because animals were killed again on New Year’s Eve. A dog was killed, a cow had a heart attack, horses were killed and enough is enough,” she said, adding that it was now up to the Belgian government.

The Flemish Mayors’ Association said it had first contacted Belgian government officials. However, it plans to “escalate” its calls by contacting partner organisations in neighbouring countries, the European Committee of the Regions and larger institutions such as the European Parliament.

Also read: BNN ANALYSES | The year 2024 was marked by gloom, yet hope for a brighter New Year prevails

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Publish date : 2025-01-03 00:31:00

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