Can Slash and Burn Fires be Outlawed?

The damage caused by the many fires across the country has been detrimental to the livelihood and wellbeing of hundreds of families. These fires are due, in part, to the prolonged dry season that came with record-high temperatures. However, according to environmentalists, several of these fires were manmade by farmers using the slash-and-burn method. These fires were then exacerbated by the heat and escaped containment. Although the rainy season is now upon us, fires are still burning in some areas. NEMO Minister Andre Perez says despite this, the farmers will not be issued a stop order.

 

Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management 

“Not too sure if you want to answer a question on why we would want to put a stop order. It’s something that we have to look at the bigger picture.  It’s impossible to say a stop order.  We’re talking about a north where cane farmers are working. That’s where they traditionally have been doing it, to burn their canes so that it can be taken off to the factories. And the traditional slash and burn done so, that is done. We it’s the time around that where the farmers prepare their lands in preparation for the rains that are coming.  No, for looking for the future, certainly we have to look at other alternatives in terms of education. And not only that, but providing alternatives by way of the Agriculture Department on how to best deal with preparing the land. I don’t see any way how putting a stop part is going to make any difference.”