The Tusk government is working on a "pyrotechnical compromise". It is “animal welfare”

pch24.pl 8 months ago

In a situation where the country is delving into the costly and dangers of even the European Union, the Warsaw Government D. Tusk will deal with 3 draft laws relating to ... "animal welfare" (whatever the t0 word means).

According to the Association of Importers and Distributors of Pirotechnology (SIiDP), each of these projects hits the Polish pyrotechnic industry, leading to its fast liquidation. SIiDP predicts that this can lead to the collapse of thousands of small, frequently household businesses, and that tens of thousands of people will lose their jobs. The marketplace is to flood dangerous products of unknown origin. Therefore, SIiDP has prepared a solution that should satisfy animal fanatics and save the pyrotechnics manufacture from falling, namely the project... “a region free from pyrotechnics”. According to the latest research, 75 percent of Polish residents are expected to support this concept.

Pyrotechnic free zones would include national parks, nature reserves, Natura 2000 sites, infirmary areas, educational and educational facilities, as well as historical buildings. The ban would besides cover urban areas, central squares and markets with a advanced level of construction and population, which would destruct reflections and acoustic intensity.

Areas where mass events organised by local governments and local communities are held would besides be subject to restrictions. This would increase the level of safety and reduce the occurrence of "unwanted phenomena", especially in the crowd. Zones would have a circumstantial area or restrictions would be introduced temporarily.

Facing force from animal fanatic organizations, The association calls for areas that are free of pyrotechnics to be included in areas adjacent to zoos, shelters for homeless animals and veterinary treatments.

– It is possible to focus on improving animal welfare, without damaging the full pyrotechnics manufacture as proposed by draft laws tabled in the Sejm. It's a classical example of pouring a baby out with a bath. I am aware that, as public awareness of animal law increases, public debate is increasing. They besides lie on our hearts. Therefore, we have proposed a compromise solution which takes into account the opinions and interests of all stakeholders – says Marta Smolińska, president of the Association of Importers and Distributors of Pirotechnics.

The thought of zones is modelled on politically correct German solutions. Cities specified as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Hannover, Bremen and Nuremberg have introduced alleged “zones”, or zones where the usage of fireworks by individual users is prohibited.

– The full ban on fireworks will destruct the full manufacture and will be hard to enforce. The region approach is more flexible and can be better accepted by the public as it does not completely take distant the anticipation of utilizing fireworks, but limits their negative effects. The introduction of zones gives the chance to compromise between supporters and opponents of fireworks. This allows different social and economical needs to be taken into account, providing noise-free spaces for those who request it, while not limiting the rights of those who want to usage fireworks – says lawyer Piotr Kruk of the Chancellery of Dudkowiak Kopeć sp. j.

Poles support the concept of fire-free zones. According to the latest investigation by the National investigation Panel of Ariadne, conducted on behalf of the Association of Importers and Distributors of Pirotechnics, as many as 75% of respondents believe that this solution is better than the full ban on fireworks. Interestingly, there is simply a supraparty agreement in electorates. The zones support 75 percent of KO voters, 76 percent of PiS, 78 percent of 3rd Road and 67 percent of Left.

Polish pyrotechnics manufacture ranks 5th in the planet erstwhile it comes to the export and import of fireworks. It employs more than 30,000 people, mainly tiny and medium-sized household businesses with a long tradition. In 2023, the pyrotechnic manufacture sold over 30 million products and had almost 9 million users buying 1 or more products. It is estimated that there are more than 25 1000 entrepreneurs associated with the pyrotechnics industry, who work out turnover of PLN 700 million, any of which feeds the state budget in the form of taxes.

The introduction of the solutions proposed in the draft laws will lead to the elimination of the pyrotechnic industry, and will yet prevent anyone from utilizing safe fireworks.

In place of certified products, there will be illegal smuggling, the sale of which will only power the grey zone. This shows the example of the Netherlands, where 250 tons of fireworks of unknown origin were confiscated, without safety certificates for sale on the black market. presently there are no practically uncertified fireworks on the Polish market, and this is besides due to the tremendous availability of legal products. According to SIiDP data, during the control of UOKiK, KAS and IH in 2023 as much as 98 percent of more than 2 million pieces of tested fireworks met all safety standards.

Poles are very attached to the long tradition of celebrating crucial events utilizing fireworks. According to investigation by the National investigation Panel of Ariadne conducted between 2021 and 2024, as many as 65 percent of respondents utilized pyrotechnics or participated in an event involving them. Significantly, among pets, opponents of pyrotechnics are a minority, 50% of animal owners argue the complete ban on pyrotechnics. The fear of black marketplace pyrotechnics, of untested quality, is common. According to this year's research, 75% of respondents have specified concerns.

Source: PAP / Pirotechnic Importers and Distributors Association