A farmer's representative yesterday launched a fresh plea for Bermuda to protect its farmland from development.

And Bermuda Dairy Association chief Harry Kromer Jr. claimed Government was not doing enough to safeguard agricultural land -- and called for a national farm policy to be introduced.

He said: "It is our firm belief that Government is not making enough of a commitment to preserving Bermuda's dairy and other farming interests.'' And he warned: "The lack of support for these industries will have a detrimental effect on Bermuda's ability to feed itself and on its environmental well-being.

"Farming is part of Bermuda's heritage and it must be retained to help feed future generations of Bermudians.

"A national farm policy is essential in order to protect the Island's vegetable and dairy farmers.

"Longer leases are needed -- and arable land at the former bases should be preserved for possible future food production.'' But Works and Engineering Minister Leonard Gibbons, whose Ministry is responsible for leases of Government land, said moves towards longer leases had already been made.

Mr. Kromer added that fresh milk and honey were the only two agricultural products produced and supplied solely by Bermudians.

But he said that fresh milk -- important for the health of children, senior citizens and the nation as a whole -- was taken for granted.

He added that there was no mention of reserved farmland in the baselands proposals and no contingency plans for the Island to feed itself if the situation arose.

And he accused Government of trying to drive out dairy farmer Richard Bascome, who farms at Westover, next to the proposed cottage colony on the old Canadian base at Daniel's Head.

Mr. Kromer said: "Now is the time to act as this could be our last chance.

Once the land is taken out of production, there may be no turning back.'' Earlier this year, Mr. Kromer organised a petition in support of farmers to coincide with the annual Agricultural Exhibition.

He said farmers needed longer leases on land to allow farmers to plan for long-term investment.

Fellow farmer Eugene Lima added that milk imported to the Island from the US and Canada was produced with government subsidies and called for similar measures in Bermuda.

There are currently four main dairy farmers with a total of around 350 milking cows.

Environment Minister Pam Gordon -- who is responsible for agricultural affairs -- could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

But Mr. Gibbons said: "We will be giving longer leases to farmers and we are doing that -- and not just to dairy farmers.'' He added that Mr. Bascome was being assisted as much as possible by the Ministry.

Mr. Gibbons pointed out that Mr. Bascome's lease had already run out, but he was not being forced off the land.

He added the long-term plan would be to find an acceptable alternative site for the farm.

He said: "We are negotiating with Mr. Bascome on that and he would be offered something else.'' GOVERNMENT GVT