While the UBP "applauds" Minister of Labour David Burch for touring Bermuda's farms, the party remains "sceptical" that it was nothing but a photo op.

In a statement, Shadow Environment Minister Cole Simons said the agricultural industry has been "neglected and weakened" and action is needed to preserve it.

"While we welcome the Minister's attention to farmers, however brief, we remain sceptical that Monday's tour will prove to be nothing more than a photo op from which nothing substantive emerges.

"I say that because the tour stands against the backdrop of a Government that has done nothing meaningful to stop the loss of precious farmland or to support the needs of the men and women who manage this vital industry."

Senator Burch was given a tour of six farms on Monday, to assess the needs of each in terms of employment and the six-year work permit limit.

The farms visited were Westover Farm, Wadson's Farm, Roger Pacheco and Sons, Joe G. Amaral and Sons, Windy Bank Farm and Nursery and Property Maintenance.

Mr. Simons said if Government understood how important Bermudian agriculture is, it would have implemented some of the recommendations in the 2002 review of the Bermudian agricultural sector that it commissioned.

He continued: "There is no excuse, or reason why five years after the publication of the report that the Government does not have a clearly articulated policy for agriculture.

"There is no excuse that the Government does not yet have a strategic plan to support the industry – a pivotal recommendation of the 2002 report."

Mr. Simons said Government needs to be committed to the farming industry and provide them with the tools and resources they need, give more economic incentives, promote agriculture as a career choice for young Bermudians, encourage the expansion of crops, and much more.

He added: "Agriculture is a traditional industry that does much more for Bermuda's identity than growing food. It is incumbent on us in our 400th year to give it the kind of support it needs to flourish."