Wallonia Loonies

UPDATE: Ungh. They got me. It is a delayed action April Fool's joke. I thought I got through it OK this year. My bust - however with the outlawing of burning wood or new fireplaces in this country - it doesn't sound that out of control. Sigh. Lame excuse.

---

Anyone who has driven down the Maas Valley, the Albert Canal, been to Liege (or Lüttich there natch), or drived in rush hour traffic in Brussels (yes Mike, I know it is not in Wallonia) knows what madness this is.

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.

Weber is the last company they should worry about.

I guess they might as well tax breathing. Don't tell Al Gore.