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Well, not quite headlines....

Yesterday, Monday, my letter to the editor of the Melbourne Sun Herald was published. Today my letter to The Border mail was published, together with a photo.

It's about stubble burning by Australian farmers.

The articles began "I used to have respect for farmers,

I used to have respect and sympathy for farmers. Not any more! Not only is it proven that stubble burning and fuel reduction burning destroys the soil. It is also proven that farmers and foresters contribute more to pollution and greenhouse gas production than any other individuals. But, these environmental terrorists also kill more people than bushfires.

There is a real smog here in Albury today and I am struggling a bit.

Unfortunately there seems to be nothing to do.

Gordon.

The Border letter's neat, Gordon. If you follow it up, you might contrast Australian practice with the UK:

"Crops Residues (Burning) Regulations 1993 - the regulations make it illegal to burn the following crop residues: cereals (straw and stubble); dry harvested field beans and peas; and oil seed rape, remaining in the field after harvest."

We still get the odd field being fired but local council Environmental Protection Officers - if they're doing their job - come down on them like a ton of bricks. The old days of drifting clouds for weeks at a time across the country have long gone.

Thanks for the information Spot.

Take care,

Gordon.