Cyprus will get tougher on people who start fires on purpose or unwittingly with harsher fines but the burning of dead leaves and wild bush in rural areas could still be allowed.
The issue was discussed before the House Environment Committee on Wednesday, Philenews reports.
If the burning of dead leaves and wild bush in rural areas is completely prohibited – especially at harvest time – then the problem will become bigger, experts told the MPs.
The catastrophic fire in July 2021 in the districts of Limassol and Larnaca and following the intervention of the Attorney General, himself, an attempt was made for the legislative framework to change.
Deputies realised that offenses related to arson, lighting a fire, causing a fire and of other related nature are scattered in a series of legislation. And this makes their implementation impossible.
After several meetings, it was decided that by the end of 2021 amended bills would be submitted to the Parliament. And these are now under discussion.
