Campaigners urge UK ministers to cap public fireworks at 90 decibels

The Center for Wild Animal Welfare is urging ministers to cap the noise of fireworks sold to the public at 90 decibels, arguing that the government’s proposed 110-decibel limit would not adequately protect wildlife. Campaigners say quieter fireworks would reduce the area affected and help prevent distress, displacement and collisions among wild animals, especially birds.

The current maximum is 120 decibels; the government has consulted on reducing it to 110, while the campaigners say 90 would make the disturbed area around 100 times smaller than under that proposal. Wildlife experts warn that fireworks can disrupt migration, raise stress levels and leave hazardous debris. The article also cites more than 1,000 birds found dead in Bulgaria on New Year’s Day 2025, and notes that New Zealand introduced a 90-decibel limit in 2008.