Fireworks ban
Fireworks manufacturers warn of a “death knell” for the industry
The sale of firecrackers and fireworks on New Year’s Eve is again banned this year. Photo: Christophe Gateau / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Also this year there will be no big parties on New Year’s Eve. The manufacturers of firecrackers criticize: “This is a symbolic ban on our back and has no effect.”
According to the fireworks manufacturers, the renewed ban on fireworks on New Year’s Eve decided by the federal and state governments means “in all likelihood the death knell for the entire fireworks industry in Germany”. The 3,000 employees in the industry are threatened with unemployment, warned the Association of the Pyrotechnic Industry (VPI) on Thursday. “With the decision against fireworks, the federal and state governments risked on the basis of wrongly set panic that it could now be over for our industry for good,” said VPI chairman Thomas Schreiber.
Legal New Year’s Eve fireworks neither mean that the emergency rooms would have a problem on New Year’s Eve, nor that the situation in the intensive care units worsen, said Schreiber. “The problems are excessive alcohol consumption and illegal fireworks products.”
Klaus Gotzen, managing director of the VPI, said: “This is a symbolic ban on our backs and has no effect.” An entire industry will be left to itself and the impending bankruptcy.