ASTANA. February 11. KAZINFORM /Bauyrzhan Mukanov/ Kazakhstan intends to ban the burning of gas flares in 2010. Chairman of the Committee of Environmental Regulation and Control of the Kazakh Ministry for Environment Murat Rakhimbergenov has told about it today in Astana, Kazinform correspondent reports.»The burning of gas flares causes great harm to the environment. We agreed with the companies that burning will be phased out in 2010»,said M. Rahimbergenov. «According to the Law ««On oil» gas burning was prohibited in 2005 but large companies threatened to stop production and the state ceded them. A special commission was created and plans were developed to utilize gas flaring. 2010 is the deadline for these companies to answer these requirements, he added. Kazakhstan enters the top ten countries of the world on this acute problem.