Andorra Reviews Proposal to Limit Firecrackers Outside Holidays Amid Pet Welfare Concerns

The Andorran government is reviewing a citizen-led proposal to restrict firecracker use outside designated holidays such as Saint John's Eve, through updates to the existing pyrotechnics regulations.

Government spokesperson and Environment Minister Guillem Casal outlined the process during Wednesday's post-Council of Ministers briefing. He confirmed receipt of the initiative, driven by Escaldes-Engordany resident Esther Bertran and supported by a group concerned with pet welfare, and noted that a working group—comprising Interior Ministry staff and Fire Brigade members—has been formed to assess it.

Casal called the request "very reasoned" and reflective of broad public sentiment, aimed at curbing indiscriminate use throughout the year rather than imposing a total ban. "The goal is not to prohibit fireworks entirely," he said, particularly on emblematic dates like Saint John's Eve, which should continue to allow pyrotechnics under controlled conditions. Instead, the effort seeks to "rationalize" usage, linking it to specific authorizations and reducing impacts on pets and neighbors.

The review forms part of a broader regulatory overhaul of an outdated framework, addressing fire safety in natural areas, controlled burns to minimize wildfire risks, and protections in enclosed spaces. Casal referenced strengthened protocols following the Crans-Montana tragedy involving flares indoors, underscoring priorities like public safety and community harmony.

He acknowledged the technical and legal complexities, describing the task as "heavy" and unlikely to conclude before the imminent Saint John's Eve, though officials aim to advance it soon. The focus remains on crafting an enforceable framework that balances these concerns.