Fireworks compromise approved

The European Parliament has given its consent to a deal reached a few weeks ago exempting Maltese firework producers from stringent new measures to be used in the production of fireworks in the EU.

Meeting in a mini-plenary session in Brussels on Thursday, Parliament voted by 574 votes in favour, 22 against and six abstentions on a co-decision report on "the placing on the market of pyrotechnic articles", aimed at introducing more measures to safeguard the safety of these products.

All Maltese MEPs voted in favour. Labour MEP John Attard Montalto did not vote as he was indisposed.

The new directive will now also need the backing of EU governments through the Competitiveness Council meeting in Brussels next week.

Following negotiations at both Parliament and Council levels, spearheaded by Labour MEP Joseph Muscat and the Permanent Representation in Brussels, changes were introduced to the draft directive in order to safeguard the interests of Maltese pyrotechnic enthusiasts.

Through these changes, certain tough and overbearing rules, such as the introduction of a CE mark, would not be applicable for fireworks manufactured to be let off during Maltese village feasts and other traditional activities.

The manufacture of fireworks in Malta is generally carried out by professional, licensed manufacturers only as a hobby and as a non-profit contribution towards village feasts.

According to the vote taken on Thursday, the rules will exclude Malta's and other similar situations traditionally found in southern Mediterranean member states. The amended directive now lays down that "in view of religious, cultural and traditional festivities in the member states, fireworks built by the manufacturer for his/her own use in the territory where they are produced are not considered as being placed on the market and do not therefore need to comply with this directive".