Henan’s new regulations on straw burning in 2022

Notice from the People's Government of Zhumadian City

1. Any act of burning straw, fallen leaves, branches, dead grass and other domestic garbage and other combustible materials in the open is illegal. It is prohibited to burn combustible materials, and those who deliberately set fires will be detained and fined in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. If the circumstances are serious, criminal responsibility will be investigated in accordance with the law.

2. Vigorously implement the return of corn straw to fields and actively carry out multi-channel comprehensive utilization of straw.

3. The municipal government supervises the rural burning ban through "Blue Sky Guardian" monitoring, supervision and inspection, and the grid management of city, county and rural groups. All sectors of society are welcome to participate in the supervision of rural burning bans and actively report burning Combustible Substances Violations. Report hotline: 0396-2916515.

Faced with the fact that the wheat harvest has not yet been harvested and the most stringent straw burning ban has been issued first, many farmers have expressed their opinions. Some farmers feel that a complete "ban on burning" is likely to breed pests, while others feel that banning straw burning is not a problem, but post-processing is a headache.

Is it really a good idea to completely ban straw burning?

The most important measure to support the ban on straw burning is to return the straw to the fields. The purpose is to allow the straw to ferment underground and convert it into green manure to provide nutrients for the new crop. But there is a premise for this, that is, the straw can be fermented in time after being buried underground.

For this reason, in areas such as Northeast China and Sichuan where the soil temperature is too low or too humid, the fermentation rate of straw will be significantly slowed down, so that it becomes fertilizer before it can be converted into fertilizer. A breeding ground for insect eggs and bacteria to hatch and breed. Therefore, the ban on burning straw and returning it to fields needs to be adapted to local conditions.

At the same time, the main purpose of banning straw burning is to protect the air and maintain a high air quality. Firstly, it can ensure driving safety and prevent car accidents caused by smoke blocking vision. Secondly, it can reduce the probability of respiratory diseases.

However, according to actual air quality monitoring reports, throughout last year, the air quality in areas where straw burning restricted areas were designated and straw was burned at fixed points and at scheduled times was not that bad. In areas where straw burning is prohibited throughout the entire territory and at all times, the air quality is not as good as it is throughout the year. It can be seen that the impact of the straw burning ban on improving air quality is not as great as imagined.

In general, it is precisely because the ban on straw burning and returning to fields does not apply to all areas, and at the same time, the ban on straw burning is not as effective as expected in improving air quality. In addition, in some rural areas, it is true that after the straw is returned to the field, it is not fermented in time, resulting in poor seedling emergence in the later period. This not only affects grain output, but also further increases pesticide residues. Therefore, a complete ban on straw burning may not necessarily be a good idea.

Legal Basis

"Notice of the General Office of the Zhengzhou Municipal People's Government on Effectively Prohibiting the Burning and Comprehensive Utilization of Crop Straw in the Autumn of 2022"

1. It is illegal to burn combustible materials such as straw, fallen leaves, branches, dead grass, and other domestic garbage in the open air. Burning of combustible materials is prohibited throughout the city throughout the year. Those who deliberately set fires will be detained and fined in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. In serious cases, be held criminally responsible in accordance with the law.

2. Vigorously implement the return of corn straw to fields and actively carry out multi-channel comprehensive utilization of straw.

3. The municipal government supervises the rural burning ban through "Blue Sky Guardian" monitoring, supervision and inspection, and the grid management of city, county and rural groups. All sectors of society are welcome to participate in the supervision of rural burning bans and actively report burning Combustible Substances Violations. Report hotline: 0396-2916515.