Fireworks are to be let off from a field close to the government farm at Għammieri, raising concerns that the blasts may disturb the animals held there.

Earlier this week, concerned readers alerted Times of Malta about fireworks being loaded in a field on Triq l-Ingiered in Marsa, close to the St Vincent de Paul Hospital, in preparation for Qormi's St Sebastian feast celebrations.

Permission to let off fireworks from there was granted by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Animal Welfare, headed by Roderick Galdes, former Qormi Labour mayor.

When contacted, a spokesman for the secretariat said that the distance from the farm, health and safety issues and other legal prerequisites were considered before issuing a permit.

Asked whether the secretariat had considered the impact of the blasts on the animals at Għammieri and what measures were taken to safeguard their welfare, the spokesman said tests on the sound impact determined which type of fireworks could be let off.

Three fourths of those who took part in an ongoing online poll believe the authorities should clamp down on petard blasts

“In fact, not all fireworks will be let off from there, and this depends on their size. The secretariat gave the go ahead after permits were granted from the Veterinary Services Department, which focused on the animal welfare aspect, the Land Department and the police,” he said.

The debate about the noise emitted by fireworks is a yearly favourite with Maltese social media users. This summer, several have already sounded their concern that the loud blasts upset their pets and could also frighten the elderly.

Three fourths of the 7,300 timesofmalta.com readers who took part in an ongoing online poll in fact believe that the authorities should clamp down on petard blasts.

When contacted, animal rights activist Moira Delia said some pets were terrified of blasts in the presence of their owners, let alone the abandoned cats and dogs recovering from trauma at Għammieri. The farm also hosts a number of exotic animals.

She said that, unless the fireworks were silent, their blasts would frighten the animals at the farm. Ms Delia also pointed out that there was also a home for the elderly in the vicinity.