Phase-2 rice harvest is approaching. The Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) of Taichung City Government urges farmers not to burn the straw but cut it into short segments and then bury it to improve soil fertility and get some subsidy.

Open rice straw burning produces total suspended particulates, carbon dioxide, PM2.5 fine suspended particulates and other air pollutants. Straw burning in the open affects air quality, making it hazardous to human health. Its smoke may even endanger road traffic safety. There was once an accident in which a car driver was choked by smoke from the burning of straw and almost passed out, said the EPB.

During the phase-1 harvest, the EPB seized 211 cases of open rice straw burning. As the phase-2 rice harvest is coming soon, the EPB has asked the Agriculture Bureau and Farmer Associations to strengthen advocacy and called on farmers not to burn rice straw in the open; otherwise the violators may be punished by a fine ranging from NT$ 5,000 to NT$100,000 in accordance with the Air Pollution Control Act and must bear the relevant criminal responsibility if the burning smoke causes an accident resulting in casualties.

The Agriculture Bureau also urges farmers to change their way to deal with rice straw. “Instead of burning it, the rice straw can be cut into short segments, added with water, and buried into the rice field. By so doing, you will turn the compost into fertilizer for you farmland, and you will get a subsidy of NT$ 1,000 for per hectare of farmland. For more information, please contact the Farmers Association in your district,” said the Agriculture Bureau.