Campaigners are urging the UK government to drastically reduce the maximum noise limit for fireworks sold to the public. They propose cutting it from 120 to 90 decibels to protect wild animals from acute stress.
The Center for Wild Animal Welfare (CWAW) argues that a 90-decibel limit would help protect millions of wild animals. It would also reduce the area a firework disturbs. The change could prevent harm, such as mass displacement and fatal collisions among birds, during displays.
The call comes after a recent government consultation. The proposal was to lower the limit to 110 decibels. This would roughly halve the loudness. CWAW said this did not go far enough.
The group states that a 90-decibel limit would leave the disturbed area about a hundred times smaller than under the government’s plan. A 120-decibel firework can be heard up to 10km away. Each 10-decibel reduction cuts the affected area by 10 times.
Richard Parr, CWAW’s director, said many people are aware of distress to pets but not wildlife. “There’s no reason to think that wild animals would be any less affected than pets,” he said. “It might even be worse because it’s completely unnatural.”
Read Also: Prosecutor cites fake case after AI search error
He added that the random bangs are terrifying for prey animals. Their natural caution makes them jumpy, disrupting their life rhythms.
Rebecca Machin, a wildlife expert at the RSPCA, shared the concerns. She said fireworks and debris disturb animals, especially birds. Impacts can include disrupted migration, higher stress hormones, and hazards from debris.
Research shows birds experience particular harm, including stress and fatal collisions. On New Year’s Day 2025, more than 1,000 birds were found dead in Bulgaria near a fireworks site. They had panicked and flown into trees and each other.
The government consultation followed a parliamentary debate in January. Two petitions against the noise and availability of fireworks gained more than 180,000 signatures each. The consultation also looked at banning more fireworks and reviewing rules on products like Christmas crackers.
New Zealand introduced a 90-decibel limit in 2008. It also reduced the number of days fireworks can be sold and raised the minimum purchase age to 18. However, the UK consultation noted concerns that a 90-decibel limit is difficult to define precisely in legislation.
