National Campaign for Firework Safety
Our aim is to promote the safe use of  fireworks

PRESS RELEASE FOR MONDAY 12 MARCH 2001

CONTACT:   0207 836 6703  'E' MAIL ncfs@cgsystems.co.uk

41 CHILDREN KILLED ASSEMBLING FIREWORK S IN CHINA
CAMPAIGN CALLS FOR ALL IMPORTS SUSPENDED

41 CHILDREN HAVE BEEN KILLED WHILST ASSEMBLING FIREWORKS IN THEIR PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE VILLAGE OF FANGLIN, CHINA, ON BEHALF OF A FIREWORK COMPANY.  THE PRIMARY SCHOOL ALLOWED CHILDREN TO BE INVOLVED TO SUPPLEMENT THE INCOME OF THE SCHOOL.

THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED ASSEMBLING FIREWORKS IN CHINA.  LAST YEAR 50 PEOPLE WERE KILLED INCLUDING CHILDREN.

AS BRITAIN IMPORTS OVER 90% OF ALL FIREWORKS FROM CHINA, THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR FIREWORK SAFETY  HAVE TODAY WRITTEN TO THE HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE, & TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, ROMANO PRODI, ASKING FOR BOTH EXECUTIVES TO IMPOSE A BLANKET BAN ON ALL IMPORTS OF FIREWORKS FROM CHINA, UNTIL SUCH TIMES AS OFFICERS OF BOTH BODIES CAN VISIT CHINA AND CHECK OUT THE QUALITY CONTROL OF THE PRODUCT IN FIREWORK FACTORIES. 

THEY ALSO WANT ASSURANCES FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES THAT NO MORE CHILDREN WILL BE USED IN THE ASSEMBLING OF FIREWORKS.