Belgium to impose tax on barbequing to fight global warming

RIA Novosti ^ | April 3rd 2007 | RIA Novosti

[Optimill]

BRUSSELS, April 3 (RIA Novosti) - The government of Belgium's French-speaking region of Wallonia, which has a population of about 4 million, has approved a tax on barbequing, local media reported.

Experts said that between 50 and 100 grams of CO2, a so-called greenhouse gas, is emitted during barbequing. Beginning June 2007, residents of Wallonia will have to pay 20 euros for a grilling session.

The local authorities plan to monitor compliance with the new tax legislation from helicopters, whose thermal sensors will detect burning grills.

Scientists believe CO2 emissions are a major cause of global warming.

[marlon]

"$26.71 US for me to char my burgers? That’ll put a crimp on the old food budget. Maybe I can purchase some cheeseburger credits from Algore...'

Sorry but from the looks of Al Gore I'd say he's used up all his cheeseburger credits on himself, you're on your own.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Ping!

[Hatteras]

Is April Fool’s Day on the 3rd of April in Belgium? This is a joke, right?

[ryan71]

This would never fly in Alabama.

[Dead Dog]

Not to mention, BBQing does not introduce carbon into the carbon cycle....unless they are cooking with gas.

[traviskicks]

"Beginning June 2007, residents of Wallonia will have to pay 20 euros for a grilling session. The local authorities plan to monitor compliance with the new tax legislation from helicopters, whose thermal sensors will detect burning grills."





Libertarian ping! To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.

[4yearlurker]

So if one pays the BBQ tax they are not polluting anymore. This is worthy of a Monty Python sketch.

Un-frigin-beleivable!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ryan71]

“Is buying charcoal with a mastercard considered a carbon credit?”

Not unless Al Gore recently purchased the Kingsford Company.

[Centurion2000]

Experts said that between 50 and 100 grams of CO2, a so-called greenhouse gas, is emitted during barbequing. Beginning June 2007, residents of Wallonia will have to pay 20 euros for a grilling session.

Jesus Christ what's next? Are they going to start taxing long distance runners for generating too much CO2 with their exhalations??

How about cars.

How about taxing the guy that drops baking soda into vinegar?

My God these people are too stupid to live.

[mutantcoil]

What about the gas emitted from cremation or your dead body decomposing? Better tax that too!

[Centurion2000]

Imagine if they tried something like that in Texas, hehe;)

AK-47's, Garands, M1-A's and AR-15's will do just fine to shoot down helicopters over BBQ places

[conservative in nyc]

As best I can tell, this was first published by RTL in Belgium on April 1. I’m suspicious - this may be an April Fool’s joke. From RTL via Babel:

The Walloons will have to pay a tax on the barbecues Setting on line the 1-4-2007 16:54

A new tax has been just decided by the Walloon government. The Walloons will have to pay a tax when they make barbecues.

The objective of this measurement: to fight against the climatic reheating. The barbecues produce much CO2 indeed, between 50 and 100 G of CO2 per barbecue.

The tax will be 20 euros by barbecue, and this as from June.

In order to control that everyone respects this measurement, the government will call upon a helicopter. A private company is elected to fly over Wallonia. A thermal camera will be used. It detects the heat sources.

Supposed video of story is here, if anyone speaks French (it seems to link to a newscast leading off with a story on Belgian gay rights) is here.

[Levante]

“Imagine if they tried something like that in Texas, hehe;)”

LOL! The thought-police, nanny-state helicopter would get blown out of the sky!

God, I love Texas!

[CDHart]

Rush said today that the effect on global warming from the helicopter exhaust would be worse than the BBQ. What a stupid idea.

Carolyn

[Constantine XIII]

LOL, no joke!

[spkpls4]

with a super-soaker water cannon to put out those bbq’s that haven’t been paid for (of course, they’ll probably want to eat one of those burgers first).

[ryan71]

“How many grams of CO2 does the average adult expel in a 24-hour period?”

Instead of getting tax credits on your kids you should be paying carbon credits on them.

Now, it’s starting to make sense.

[P-Marlowe]

Experts said that between 50 and 100 grams of CO2, a so-called greenhouse gas, is emitted during barbequing.

Heck, that's not even a weenie roast. But we're dealing with euroweenies.

I suspect that a good 5 pounds of Charcoal should produce at least a pound of Carbon Dioxide as well as a pound of Carbon Monoxide, two pounds of DiHydrogen Oxide and a pound of ashes. And a helluva good steak.

Let's see the politicians try to put a $20 tax on a BBQ in Texas and see how many of them live to see the next sunrise.

[Gritty]

Where can one purchase "BBQ Credits"? Or must one simply pay the tax which costs more than your food?

On a lighter note, the Muzzies will soon take over and rescind this nonsense. Even they aren't that crazy!