Barbecuing in public prohibited in Brussels

While lighting up a grill in public is allowed in other world cities such as Lyon, Antwerp and Amsterdam, in Brussels it is forbidden. With the exception of one public barbecue in the Sauvagère Park in Uccle, south of Brussels, barbecuing in public is prohibited across Brussels. And that’s not about to change, according to environment minister Céline Fremault (CDH), writes brusselnieuws.be.

The Green party’s Annemie Maes, meanwhile, is urging the city to consider providing more places to barbecue in public, as in Uccle. The environment minister, however, does not see any advantage in public barbecues. "The barbecues would cause conflicts between different users," Fremault told brusselnieuws.be. "Also, grilling out is often associated with increased alcohol consumption. That's asking for trouble."

There are other drawbacks, she adds: “Barbecuing does not fit into the city’s general standpoint with regard to sustainable food; People tend to leave behind a lot of waste.”

"It’s unfortunate," responds Maes in La Dernière Heure. "I don’t understand why it would not work here, if they can do it in neighbouring countries."