Andorra Drafts Pyrotechnics Rules to Protect Animals and Update Outdated Norms
The regulation addresses noise distress in enclosed spaces, festivals, and forests, recognizing animals as sentient without banning cultural displays. It responds to a citizen petition for targeted restrictions amid new welfare legislation.
Key Points
- Draft regulation under review by Interior Ministry for alignment with animal welfare and public safety laws.
- Rules target misuse in nightlife, festivals, and natural areas while preserving cultural events like Sant Joan.
- Intentional harm to animals via firecrackers treated as serious mistreatment with fines and penalties.
- Pet owners advised to relocate noise-sensitive dogs during events like Sant Joan.
Andorra's government has finalized a draft regulation on pyrotechnics use, now under legal review by Interior Ministry experts to ensure alignment with public safety and animal welfare laws.
Environment, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Guillem Casal shared the update during Wednesday's presentation of the Animal Protection and Welfare bill. The Interior Ministry prepared the document in collaboration with his department's foresters and fire brigade, focusing on compatibility with existing norms.
The rules address broader concerns beyond animal impacts, including pyrotechnics in enclosed nightlife spaces—referencing a recent incident in Crans-Montana—and their use at festivals. They also update outdated provisions on lighting fires in natural areas. The new Animal Protection law, which recognizes animals' sentience and bans distress from pain, suffering, or mistreatment, provides an overarching framework without detailing specific times or days for displays.
Intentional use of firecrackers to cause physical or psychological harm to animals qualifies as serious mistreatment, carrying penalties such as fines, ownership prohibitions, or prosecution, according to Agriculture and Livestock Director Josep Casals.
Officials have ruled out bans on pyrotechnics during cultural events like Sant Joan or parish festivals. Casals stressed the need to safeguard traditions central to Andorra's heritage, while curbing unregulated, haphazard use outside designated celebrations. This mirrors a petition by Escaldes resident Ester Bertran, who sought stricter controls beyond festive dates. Casal described her proposal as reasonable after several discussions, noting it avoided calls to restrict holiday displays.
Ahead of events like Sant Joan, recommendations target pet owners with noise-sensitive dogs, advising relocation to quieter spots such as relatives' homes or shelters, in partnership with veterinarians.
No approval timeline has been set, pending confirmation that the draft fits current legal structures or requires minor adjustments.
Related Articles
Other articles from Catalan-language sources about the same story:
- El Periòdic•
Govern ultima el reglament per limitar la pirotècnia, però descarta prohibir els petards per Sant Joan i les festes majors
- Diari d'Andorra•
El Govern ja té redactat un reglament per regular l’ús de la pirotècnia i n’estudia l’encaix jurídic
- Altaveu•
El reglament per limitar l'ús dels petards està a l'espera de l'anàlisi jurídica