takes effect.

The Government is getting tough on individuals and companies that burn waste without a licence, and are urging the community to help them in their fight.

The move comes after one incident where illegal burning at a quarry in the Bailey's Bay area led to some asthmatics having to go to hospital because of the smoke in the air.

Environment Minister Harry Soares said he immediately put a stop on the burning at the quarry, which is operated by Island Construction and Landscaping.

"They didn't have a licence to burn there. That is not good enough, you can't allow that to happen,'' he said. "If the residents down there have any environmental nuisance, the buck stops here.'' He said once he was aware of the burning, a ban was slapped on the company within 24 hours.

And the Minister -- who is getting daily reports on the quarry -- said the company are now separating the waste and either taking it to the incinerator or the Castle Harbour dump.

He claimed that was not being done before but Zane DeSilva, president of Island Construction and Landscaping, denied the material was not being treated properly.

The burning, he said, got a little out of hand and workers had some trouble putting it out.

Mr. Soares said clean air regulations required that a licence was required to burn any building, construction or demolition material -- and not one permit has ever been granted he added.

"You can burn horticultural waste, however if there is a complaint from the public it has to stop.'' And Mr. Soares urged the public to contact the Environment Ministry if they had complaints about burning.

"If someone has an environmental nuisance they should come to us here, if it is not our responsibility we will make sure it goes to the proper Government department.''