Those Damn Barbeques!

UPDATE: This has been confirmed to be an April Fools hoax. Apparently, the Belgians really pull some serious pranks on April 1. Those fun-loving Belgians!

From opinionjournal.com

Grill Scouts

From Novosti, a Russian news service:

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.

Good thing helicopters don't emit any CO2!