The Nationalist Party's private member's bill, which sought to amend the provisions of the Constitution by introducing and recognising the right to live in a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a human right may have had reasonable intentions, but the wording was "vague and open to broad interpretation", Malta Pyrotechnic Association president Godfrey Farrugia said.

The bill in question failed to pass in Parliament, receiving 32 votes in favour and 40 votes against it. Environment Minister Miriam Dalli had described the proposal as "immature and irresponsible", as she spoke of how there was a risk of creating unintended consequences for industries, sporting organisations, hunting and trapping associations, as well as NGOs. PN MP Darren Carabott, who spearheaded the bill, had accused the government of "fearmongering".

In comments to The Malta Independent, Farrugia said the bill would have potentially impacted various aspects of Maltese society and its lifestyle, as he added that the bill notably proposed elevating a reworded constitutional environment clause from a general declaration to an absolute human right. He commented that this shift would have placed a binding obligation on the government, or any subsequent authority, to act as directed by the courts, "with far-reaching and possibly unintended or non-desirable consequences".

He said that Malta already has a substantial framework of environmental legislation, but added that these laws often lack the necessary executive powers and procedural clarity to ensure effective implementation. With that in mind, he remarked that "this episode has served as a timely reminder of the importance of good governance and legislative clarity".

With regard to the bill, Farrugia said that the MPA had actively engaged with both sides of Parliament in the lead-up to the parliamentary debate. He said that the MPA highlighted the absence of safeguards in the proposed bill and spoke of how "the art of fireworks is not merely a seasonal spectacle, but is deeply rooted in Malta's cultural identity".

Farrugia remarked that "art is the soul of fireworks". He said that fireworks have a historical, social, and cultural legacy, and added that "there is no other art which exhibits such dynamic, energetic movements". He continued that fireworks are an integral part of Malta's traditional feats, which he commented are acknowledged by UNESCO World Heritage.

"Traditional fireworks' displays are part of our collective memory that identifies a culture and gives authenticity to a people. The sound of fireworks has a historical, social, and cultural dimension. It is part of Malta's identity," he said.

Addressing concerns regarding the experience of animals during fireworks, Farrugia said that the MPA acknowledges the growing public concern regarding the impact of fireworks on pets and animals, and added that the association understands that loud noises can cause distress, "particularly to domestic animals". He said that the MPA believes that responsible planning and communication are the key to mitigating such effects.

He says "proactive steps are taken to inform animal owners well in advance of scheduled displays". Having said that, he remarked that it remains the legal and ethical responsibility of the owners to ensure that their pets are sheltered and protected during such events, "as outlined in the Animal Welfare Act".

Farrugia concluded by saying that the MPA remains committed to dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders, including animal welfare groups, local councils, and government authorities. He added that the MPA supports adequate regulations and safety, "but firmly opposes blanket prohibitions that disregard Malta's pyrotechnic traditions".

PN environment bill 'may have been reasonable but was vague', Pyrotechnic Association president says - The Malta Independent