The CDA stands for the safety of our emergency services. We cannot say we fully support the police and then turn a blind eye to the violence they experience on one day of the year.

Theo Rietkerk

At the same time, the CDA faction expressed concerns about the practice. Rietkerk mentioned seven bottlenecks, including shortages in police, emergency services, and enforcers, the limited approach to online illegal fireworks trade, and the ongoing problems with heavy illegal fireworks from abroad.

“The initiators look through rose-colored glasses when it comes to feasibility and enforceability, especially in border regions,” Rietkerk said. “Without sufficient capacity, oversight, and clear rules, practice will lag behind the law.”

The CDA faction asked the minister for a concrete enforcement plan, well-developed AMvBs (General Administrative Regulations), and clarity on compensation for existing fireworks companies. The faction also emphasized that in the development of the regulations, all parties involved, such as police, emergency services, fire department, municipalities, and the fireworks industry, must be involved.

As a positive example, Rietkerk referred to his own hometown of Kampen, where the shooting of fireworks has been successfully regulated through collaboration between residents, the municipality, and emergency services. “The lesson is: sit down with all parties, share responsibility, and provide space for input. That ensures support and safety,” Rietkerk said. He asked the minister whether the Kampen model could serve as inspiration for other municipalities. Rietkerk emphasized that this model could be inspiring for other municipalities in the Netherlands. “The experiences in Kampen teach us that policy works better when you create it together. When people have a say, they feel heard and are more willing to adhere to agreements. And when residents take shared responsibility, enforcement is not just a matter for the police and emergency services, but for the entire community.”

The implementation of this law will be further prepared in the coming time and will certainly not come into effect before the next New Years Eve.