To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions his Department has held with the Department of Trade and Industry on the animal welfare implications of restrictions on the retail sale of fireworks. (98892)

[holding answer 2 November 2006]: The Protection of Animals Act 1911 makes it an offence to infuriate or terrify any animal. Any person or organisation may initiate proceedings under this Act.

The courts alone must decide whether an offence has been committed. A review of the legislation governing the sale and use of fireworks was carried between 2001 and 2003, which included discussions between my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry. Following that review, the Government supported a Private Member’s Bill that introduced new regulations on the sale and use of fireworks—the Fireworks Act 2003.

Regulations were introduced in 2004, under the 2003 Act, to prohibit the use of fireworks after 11 pm (12 am on 5 November). They also ban the supply of excessively loud fireworks. These measures were partly brought in to protect animals.