Belgium is considering banning the sale of fireworks to individuals after a series of injuries during New Year’s celebrations. According to the most radical critics, the ban at the national level should be extended to the entire European Union. TASR informs based on a Politico report.
A few Belgian municipalities have already introduced local bans on the sale of fireworks. According to the Association of Flemish Towns and Municipalities (VVSG), 80 percent of VVSG mayors would like a national and even European ban.
“Year after year we see that there are casualties, that people have injured legs and arms… We also see that some use fireworks to attack rescuers and police officers,” VVSG spokeswoman Nathalie Debastová told Politico.
In Brussels, despite the ban, several flares and firecrackers were set off during the celebrations. During New Year’s Eve, the police detained 159 people there and intervened in more than 1,700 incidents.
According to the VVSG, it should the ban applies to all EU member countries. This would prevent circumvention of the sales ban by purchasing in another country. The association has a plan in case of failure with the Belgian government turn to the European Parliament.
Belgian animal rights group GAIA is skeptical of a Europe-wide ban, arguing that a national level restriction is needed first. “When we hear that Europe has to deal with something, it’s usually an excuse for politicians to do nothing in their own member state,” said GAIA director Ann de Greef.
