John Everett of Umhlali CC writes:
The article in the latest Courier (June 7) titled “Black Snow Blues” refers.
This problem raises its ugly head every year and it is clear the cane growers are just not able to abide by their own burning code. I have witnessed it umpteen times – it’s Monday morning and I must get some cane burnt for my cutters – to hell with the burning code.
It would be ideal if this practice could be stopped altogether as has happened in many countries. But I believe there is an interim solution which is based on the simple observation that during most of the burning season there is a land breeze in the mornings.
A land breeze blows from the land towards the sea and thus towards the residential areas. It is then logical that if the growers want to abide by their burning code they should not burn in the mornings.
The interim solution – ban burning before 2pm. A number of farmers have a preference to burn in the cool of the evening and burn between 4pm and 7pm. If all growers did this, I believe the problem of smuts fallout over residential areas would be drastically reduced.
It will most likely improve the air quality in these areas as well.
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