Fireworks consultation

The Justice Ministry is still consulting stakeholders on amendments to the Explosives Ordinance, which is meant to impose stricter regulations on fireworks factories, the manufacturing of fireworks as well as their display.

The consultation process began soon after the government imposed harsher penalties on people caught in breach of the ordinance. The aim of the reform is to revise exhaustively the regulations and laws on fireworks. All aspects are being tackled, including fireworks factories, the displays themselves, manufacturing and monitoring, the ministry said.

Reacting to a statement issued by the fireworks enthusiasts on Saturday, the Justice Ministry said the consultation process was still underway and that the association was not the only stakeholder with whom discussions were being held.

The ministry also pointed out that the letter mentioned by the Pyrotechnics Association, in which they were asking to meet Justice Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, had only reached the ministry last Friday.

“The Ministry never closed any doors to consultation with the stakeholders involved in this reform process, including the Pyrotechnics Association. The Ministry remains committed to involve all the parties at every step of the way,” it said.