Farmers have attacked Government for committing "environmental suicide" by allowing soil imports for Bermuda's flagship cricket venue.

They fear foreign pests could destroy crops across the Island, while the introduction of chemicals to combat disease could upset the balance of the whole country's ecology. About 15 farmers held an emergency meeting last night after hearing how Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield had pushed through new regulations to improve the sub-standard National Sports Centre pitch with foreign soil.

They claim the move could see dangerous plant diseases and alien species introduced to the country and refer to the cedar blight of the 1940s which wiped out 95 percent of Bermuda's national trees.

"I found out on Saturday and I felt stunned and betrayed," said farmer and environmentalist Tom Wadson.

"We are on the front line and obviously we are worried about ourselves, but this is about the whole country — it's about the entire ecology. We have a delicate horticulture here and this could affect us very badly.

"It's just really foolish, really silly and really high-risk. This is just environmental suicide. I don't know how much it is going to cost to bring this soil in. How much are we paying to shoot ourselves in the foot?"

Fellow farmer Carlos Amaral warned about the possible effects on the Island.

"We are worried about disease that might be present despite whatever treatment they bring. We have no idea what effect the organisms can have on our environment here in Bermuda," said Mr. Amaral.

"In Bermuda, we are lucky because we don't have to fumigate the soil like in the US. Bringing in foreign soil may mean we have to use more chemicals which will be less environmentally friendly."

Yesterday, Ministry of Environment Permanent Secretary Kevin Monkman conceded it was impossible to be 100 percent sure all imported soil would be disease-free.

However, he pledged all supplies will face a string of vigorous tests both overseas and in Bermuda, while every available measure will be taken to kill any contaminants.

He added that the legislation would not open the floodgates to unlimited amounts of soil coming into the Island.

"We have tried to take every step possible to ensure anyone who wishes to import soil has to put forward strong reasons for bringing it in," he said.

Ms Butterfield has faced calls for her resignation by the Opposition United Bermuda Party after tabling the legislation despite allegedly opposing the move a year ago.

The Minister was also attacked for giving the Opposition no chance to debate the matter by putting the resolution forward last Friday — the final evening of the final session of the House of Assembly until November.

Mr. Monkman defended the timing of the Minister's move, claiming action was taken "as soon as realistically possible" after the law was approved by Cabinet.

He said it had been anticipated the parliamentary session would not conclude until Friday, July 6, meaning that the Opposition would have had chance to list it for debate.

Bermuda Cricket Board has long been calling for the legislation, hoping it will allow Bermuda to produce a pitch good enough to host international games.

The Island hosted the Americas Championship in July 2004, but batsmen from all the competing countries complained about the fast deterioration of the pitch and problems with uneven bounce.

The International Cricket Council's pitch consultant Andy Atkinson suggested it would have been more suitable for growing carrots on.

A statement from the Ministry of Environment reads: "It has been determined, after an exhaustive search, that there is no soil in Bermuda which has the characteristics required to construct a wicket of the required standard. As a result, a request was made to import soil which could be used to construct the wicket.

"The amendment regulations still prohibits the importation of soil, but provides the Minister with the discretion to issue a permit, under very strict conditions, for the importation of soil."

Ms Butterfield is off the Island and has been unavailable for comment since the weekend.