Fireworks Bill – to restrict fireworks:

The next stage for this Bill, Second reading, is scheduled to take place on Friday 17 January 2025.

This is a Private Members' Bill which was presented to Parliament on Wednesday 16 October 2024 through the ballot procedure.

Luton North MP, Sarah Owen is hoping to ban the loudest fireworks from public sale, and ensure fireworks can only be purchased from licensed shops.

Legislation could be put in place to help reduce stress to animals.

Kirith Entwistle MP said:

This week I met up with Sarah Owen MP to talk about her private members bill on fireworks.

The Fireworks Bill proposes an outright ban on the public sale of F2 and F3 fireworks. Looks to reduce the maximum decibel level of all traditional fireworks from 120 dB to 90 dB. Enhances legislation governing the use and sale of fireworks and tightens licensing laws on the sale of fireworks.

This is a really difficult time of year for many pet owners. We have just seen another fireworks season come and go and as we head towards the New Year, more displays will cause distress for so many animals.

Constant disturbance from fireworks night after night can be an issue for others in our community too. We have a large community of veterans in Bolton, many of whom struggle with PTSD, and there are children and adults who are neurodivergent who are unsettled by the unexpected loud noises.

I’m pleased to show my support for this Bill and I will be doing my bit to encourage the Government to back the introduction of tighter restrictions on fireworks.

Judicial review outcome – XL Bully ban

XL Bully Ban - England and Wales - Upheld

A 42-page ruling was published on 17 December 2024 followed a two-day legal hearing of a judicial review application brought by the Don’t Ban Me Licence Me campaign group.

The Judge found that although the Government did breach their duty under the Equality Act, the decision to ban the XL Bully was not unlawful and the XL Bully ban continues.

Permission to appeal was refused by Mrs Justice Lang.

The full judgment can be read here -https://caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2024/3252

End to the cruel trade in puppy smuggling moves closer:

An end to the cruel trade in puppy smuggling has moved closer following the announcement of Government support for a new Private Members’ Bill on 29th November 2024.

The Government announces support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Private Members Bill.

The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill – sponsored by Dr Danny Chambers MP – will make it more difficult and less profitable for traders to fraudulently import animals for sale under the disguise of owners traveling with their own pets, addressing the current abuse of non-commercial rules that compromise animal welfare and biosecurity.

This Bill delivers on a manifesto commitment to crack-down on puppy smuggling by closing loopholes exploited by unscrupulous commercial traders. It will give the Government powers to ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months, and dogs and cats that are mutilated or heavily pregnant.

Baroness Sue Hayman, Animal Welfare Minister, said:   

The smuggling of pets is an appalling trade with no place in our society, a nation of animal lovers. We promised safer streets and we will stop these horrific criminals profiting from cruelty.  

This important legislation is the first step in achieving our manifesto commitment to deliver the biggest boost in animal welfare in a generation.

 Danny Chambers MP said:

As a vet, I’ve treated many dogs with cruelly cropped ears or docked tails, leaving them physically scarred and emotionally traumatised. There is no excuse for these mutilations in the 21st century.

But this bill is about more than animal welfare. We’re also protecting public health because dogs that have been smuggled into the UK could be carrying terrifying diseases that affect humans, such as rabies. 

By taking advantage of policy loopholes, criminals have been able to traffic vulnerable animals into the UK. This gap in the system has caused the suffering of thousands of innocent animals. As a vet, I think it is time we close this loophole, stop it from being exploited by organised criminals, and put an end to this cruel trade once and for all.

Bill Details here - Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament

 

Next neutering deadline approaches for exempted XL Bullys

Relating to dogs who were at least 7 months of age but less than 12 months on 31st January 2024:

For your Certificate of Exemption to remain valid, you must arrange to have your XL Bully dog permanently neutered. Male dogs must be neutered through castration, and female dogs must be spayed.
You must use the confirmation of neutering form to tell Defra your dog has been neutered. You must provide the completed form to Defra on or before the relevant deadline of 31st December 2024.

The confirmation of neutering form can be found online here: Confirm an XL Bully dog has been neutered - GOV.UK

You must provide Defra with evidence that your XL Bully dog has been neutered on or before the relevant deadline. 

The owner and vet must fill in the veterinary confirmation of neutering form (VCN01) once the neutering procedure has been carried out. The owner should return the form to Defra. 

Defra must receive the form by the relevant deadline.

 If you do not provide evidence that your dog has been neutered by the relevant deadline, your dog will no longer be exempt. 

Fireworks - Parliamentary Debate

 On Monday 9 December, MPs will debate two petitions relating to the sale and use of fireworks.

• Watch the debate (from 4.30pm, Monday 9 December)
• Read the debate transcript (available shortly after the conclusion of the debate).
• Follow the Committee on X, formerly Twitter

Robbie Moore MP, a Member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. MPs from all parties can take part, and the Government will send a minister to respond.

Ban the sale of fireworks to the general public

The petition, which has more than 50,000 signatures, states: "Purchasing and owning fireworks should not be allowed for the general public. The Government should introduce a law stating that fireworks should only be permitted for professional shows and events - this will mean they are handled safely, cleanly, and at predictable times."

In its response to the petition, provided on 1 November 2023, the Government said it: "has no plans to ban the sale of fireworks to the public but continues to monitor the situation. We believe the majority of individuals use fireworks safely and appropriately."

Limit the sale and use of Fireworks to licence holders only

The petition, which has more than 75,000 signatures, states: "Fireworks killed our mum, Josephine Smith. Her home was attacked using fireworks. We believe the use of fireworks after sale to the public cannot be policed.
We think all displays should be licensed and sales limited to licence holders only."

The Government will provide a response in due course.

What are petitions debates?

Petitions debates are 'general' debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.

Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means MPs will not vote on the request of the petitions at the end of the debate. Instead, the aim is to give MPs an opportunity to discuss the issues raised by a petition, and get a response from the Government.

Petition debates are scheduled by the Petitions Committee. Only e-petitions started on the Parliament petitions site are considered by the Petitions Committee.

New changes to exemption scheme

Coming into force on 5th December 2024 and applying to England and Wales.

These amendments have been passed via a Statutory Instrument; the Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order - No 1149 2024.

The details can be viewed in full here:

https://statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk/instrument/7bnLMKiZ

DEFRA Information - changes include:

Extension of the neutering deadline date in the 2023 Order for dogs aged under 7 months on 31 January 2024 from 31st December 2024 to 30 June 2025. 

This change is being made to reduce health and welfare risks associated with neutering large dogs before they have physically matured. As a result of the change the majority of XL Bully dogs exempted under this Order will be at least 18 months old when they are neutered. The 2023 Rehoming Order does not need to be amended as no dogs exempted under that legislation were less than 7 months old on 31 January 2024.

Amendment of the neutering requirements in the 2015 Order in relation to an XL Bully dog exempted through the court- approved exemption scheme to ensure that XL Bully dogs do not need to be neutered until they are 18 months old. 

Amendment of the requirements relating to Public Liability Insurance so that owners holding Certificates of Exemption are required to provide evidence of insurance on request rather than annually. Owners of all banned breed type dogs with a certificate of exemption are required to have public liability insurance in place for the lifetime of the dog.  Previously they were also required, as a condition of the exemption certificate, to send proof annually to Defra that their insurance had been renewed. In light of the large increase in the number of exempted dogs registered with Defra following the implementation of the XL Bully ban, we have reviewed the administrative burdens associated with the processing of annual insurance notifications. We have concluded that it would be more proportionate to replace this approach with spot-checks. The requirement for insurance will remain in place, but Defra will be able to request evidence of insurance from owners and owners will be in breach of their conditions of exemption if they do not provide this evidence within 5 days of the request being made. Non-compliance with this request will result in a dog’s Certificate of Exemption becoming invalid. 

This change is being made to reduce the administrative burden on owners and Defra. Amendment of the 2015 Order to allow substitution of the person in charge of an exempted XL Bully dog, in the event of death or serious illness of the exemption holder. This will align with provisions that already apply to other banned breed types. 

Previously in the event of serious illness or death of the owner of an XL Bully dog exempted under the 2023 Order, it was not possible for another person to lawfully take charge of the dog and keep it. The amendment means that in this situation the prospective new owner can apply to the court for the ownership to be transferred to them and the dog can remain with them until the case is heard, rather than being seized, if the Police deem that there is no risk to the public from the dog, and that the person is fit and proper. This change aligns the policy for XL Bully dogs with that which is already in place for other banned breed types. 

Classic FM’s Pet Classics - Fireworks Season

For the pets and families who find fireworks season stressful and upsetting, try Classic FM’s Pet Classics.

On Saturday 2nd and Tuesday 5th November from 5-9pm for soothing classical music.