STRICTER fireworks rules are unlikely before the next political term, the Justice and Home Affairs Minister has confirmed, despite growing calls for increased regulation due to the stress they cause pets.
Speaking to a Scrutiny panel recently, Deputy Mary Le Hegarat said the issue remained on her legislative agenda but is not expected to be addressed before 2026.
“Unfortunately, it’s not on my legislative programme that’s likely to come to fruition prior to this term,” she said.
“It’s something that we’re working on, but the legislative change isn’t something that the policy team has had an opportunity to work on. So I’m sort of working with others to try and see what we could actually do.”
She said she has met with individuals on both sides of the debate and asked the Constables to explore possible changes.
“I’ve actually asked the Comité des Connétables to look at if there’s anything that they think could help assist in some of the changes,” she said.
The Minister acknowledged concerns from pet owners and is considering options, such as reducing noise levels and requiring notification for displays.
“I think we need to look at when we have fireworks, how people are notified that they are going to happen, whether there should be obligations on people setting off fireworks, and whether there’s any possibility of lowering some of the noise levels.
“I’m prepared to consider all sorts of different things. We need to ensure that any legislation addresses both sides of the argument.”
When asked if new rules could be in place for Bonfire Night this year, she said it would depend on how quickly discussions progress.
This comes after a petition calling for fireworks to be limited to a two-week period around Bonfire Night gained almost 700 signatures since its launch last month.
Monique de la Perrelle, who lodged the petition, said she was trying to strike a balance between the current situation and the total ban that some animal lovers have advocated.
She has previously told the JEP: “I’m not anti-fireworks, but I know people with pets which go through a lot of distress and need medication to calm them,” she said.
“The firework ‘season’ seems to go on for weeks on end and members of the public can access noisier fireworks that are then set off at any time without giving a warning.
“I think there should be a defined period around 5 November, and at other times it should only be possible to set off fireworks that make less noise.”
Such a move would bring Jersey into line with Guernsey, where there is limitation around bonfires and fireworks to the days immediately around 5 November.
The petition can be found online at: petitions.gov.je/petitions/201058.
In December 2022, former minister Deputy Helen Miles responded to a previous petition calling for fireworks “without a bang”, which attracted more than 2,600 signatures.
Deputy Miles said she believed there was a “strong argument” that current regulations were insufficient and pledged to introduce revisions to the law during her term of office.
However, she left the role in January 2024 after the vote of no confidence in former Chief Minister Kristina Moore.
