Limited control of bad burning practices

I want to thank Mr. Heenan for a lovely positive letter (“Response to sugar cane burning,” Courier October 3). I know I speak on behalf of thousands of local residents when I say something has to be done to either stop what is going on completely or at least curb the burning activities.
The farmers, of their own accord, drew up what is known as “the burning code” which basically says a farmer may not burn if the prevailing wind is in the direction of a built up area. The problem is that a large number of farmers ignore this and there is limited, if any, policing and disciplinary measures in place to control bad practice.
It is well known that during many months of the year there is a land breeze. This means that according to their own code, farmers may not burn until such time as the land breeze has swung round to a sea breeze which occurs around midday. I have numerous photographs of farmers in the area close to the N2 and Tinley Manor burning between 6 and 7 in the morning with huge plumes of smoke and smuts drifting towards the coast and the residential areas of Sheffield Beach and Salt Rock. These are deliberately lit fires because they happen on a regular basis (especially Monday mornings) at this time.
To ask farmers to keep to the burning code simply does not work, mainly because there is limited policing and no penalties. In my opinion all burning within a 10 kilometre distance from the shoreline should be completely banned before 2 pm. If this is implemented it will be far easier to police it. The farmers themselves must decide on a penalty system.
Such a ban should ensure that people on the Dolphin Coast, both residents and tourists, can awake to an unpolluted scene with no acrid smell of smoke and pollution. The lovely sea views will be clear of smog and the washing can be hung on the line without fear that it will be spoilt before it is dry. Tourists can enjoy their breakfast with no smut falling on the eggs and bacon or on their towels on the beach.
So before we have our first meeting I propose that farmers play the game and only burn in the afternoon (after 2 pm). It is the least they can do to try and alleviate what is really an unacceptable situation. Farmers on the South Coast appear to have a better attitude as on a trip down there this last weekend I saw many fields being trashed as opposed to being burnt. Speaking to a farmer in the Southbroom area he told me that burning was now frowned upon and they were all committed to trying to cut it out altogether. Let’s try and change the attitude that appears to prevail on the North Coast.
Mr. Heenan, I look forward to our first meeting.
JOHN EVERETT
Simbithi