Workers remain unprotected from ionizing radiation risks as the Commission holds off on adopting a radiation protection directive.
Unbridled Response:
Fireworks Chaos on New Year's: Conflict Between Tradition and Stricter Rules
Bremerhaven - Proposes for a bigger crackdown on private New Year's fireworks have hit a wall among interior ministers. At a recent conference of federal and state interior ministers in Bremerhaven, there was no agreement on stricter regulations.
Berlin, Bremen, and Hamburg were pushing for more flexibility in dealing with New Year's fireworks. Currently, the Explosives Act allows the use of pyrotechnics on December 31st and January 1st. For all other days, a special permit is needed.
Insight: Enthusiasts argue that fireworks are an integral part of celebrations, while critics point to safety concerns, noise pollution, environmental impact, and animal welfare issues.
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Interior Minister Behrens Against a Blanket Ban
Lower Saxony’s interior minister, Daniela Behrens (SPD), said to the press after the meeting in Bremerhaven, "I personally think it's a lousy idea to push for a total fireworks ban.” Current legal provisions for creating ban zones are sufficient. "Big cities successfully use these options during New Year's, and even rural areas can protect certain areas, like timber-framed houses or thatch-roof ones,” said Behrens. She contends that banning fireworks for the majority who behave responsibly due to the reckless behavior of a few is unfair. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of identifying and punishing offenders who endanger emergency services.
Petitions for a Ban
The Berlin division of the Police Trade Union (GdP) initiated a petition for a fireworks ban early in 2023. It has since garnered over two million signatures. Animal welfare groups and other organizations also advocate for a ban. For example, there is a petition and an open letter from the German Environmental Aid to Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). In it, they request a permanent end to private fireworks at New Year's by amending the Explosives Regulation.
Fact: Five men died in fireworks accidents around the turn of 2024/2025, with multiple casualties and damaged properties reported.
Final Thought: It seems the debate over fireworks regulations is far from over. This issue is as contentious as ever, pitting tradition and celebration against safety and responsibility. Time will tell if stricter regulations will be implemented or whether the enthusiasm for fireworks will continue unabated.
- Amid the ongoing debate, political discussions related to policy-and-legislation regarding fireworks are prominent in both general-news and crime-and-justice sectors, with interior ministers debating stricter fireworks regulations.
- The controversy over New Year's fireworks has also extended into the realm of politics, as various organizations, such as animal welfare groups and the German Environmental Aid, petition for changes in the Explosives Regulation to enact a fireworks ban, citing safety, noise pollution, environmental impact, and animal welfare concerns.
