N-VA insists on a ban on fireworks for private individuals: “It’s a countdown until things end badly”

“With our bill, we want to reverse the logic. This means that fireworks for private individuals will not be allowed unless permission is given by the local government. In 2019, I introduced a similar bill in the Flemish Parliament. The Constitutional Court then decided that it must be decided at the federal level. The ban will preferably come into effect this year. Otherwise, we fear even more fireworks tourism in the border region due to the stricter legislation in the Netherlands,” Ben Weyts explains.

Big impact

The N-VA bill was explained on Thursday in Baarle-Hertog. The location was not chosen by chance, because the enclave municipality has six fireworks shops on its territory. Mayor Philip Loots (N-VA) has long been calling for a ban on the sale of fireworks. “Fireworks tourism in our municipality has increased exponentially. Dutch people used to come to Baarle-Hertog in the last month of the year to buy fireworks. In recent years, this has started at the end of August. For Dutch people, our village is the mecca of fireworks. Hopefully, the bill will soon make that description a thing of the past.”

“This causes a lot of inconvenience, from parking where it is not allowed to urinating in public. There are also fireworks buyers who immediately want to test their purchase. This all has a major impact on our residents, they are tired of the nuisance. A few months ago, 385 objections were submitted against an application for fireworks storage, which is approximately 10 percent of the population. The fireworks stores work with mobile storage. They have a bunker where 150 kilograms of pyrotechnics may be stored. The vans that transport fireworks to the stores are allowed to load up to 333 kilograms. It is a countdown until something goes wrong in the village center of Baarle.”

Light and laser shows

A total ban on fireworks is not necessary for N-VA. “In our proposal, traders are no longer allowed to sell to private individuals,” says federal MP Lieve Truyman. “Mayors can curb ownership and purchase. Fireworks are still allowed for professional users, but in certain circumstances. We see it as an opening to other ways of celebrating. This can be done, for example, with low-noise fireworks or light and laser shows.”

Sales through fireworks stores can be monitored. That is less obvious for those who purchase fireworks online. “By banning the possession of fireworks, we are sending a clear signal to the internet trade,” says Ben Weyts. “We are making it more difficult for private buyers. Today the police can stop someone who has fireworks, but cannot do anything else. This bill will change that.”

Enforcement

All mayors in the Kempen are calling for a fireworks ban. “The young people do not realize how serious the consequences of lighting fireworks can be,” says the mayor of Rijkevorsel, Dorien Cuylaerts (N-VA). “It is good for local authorities that there is movement in the legislation. A general ban is easier for mayors to apply in terms of enforcement.” We contacted several fireworks stores in Baarle-Hertog, but they chose not to respond to the bill.