While farmers in the European Community and the United States are mired in interminable debate about trading agreements, their counterparts in Bermuda are facing more fundamental problems.

As well as trying to persuade local import agents to buy their produce rather than foreign fruit and vegetables, farmers are watching their increasingly fragmented agricultural plots being nibbled away by development. Natural boundaries between new housing and farm land, such as hedgerows, have disappeared and the land is unprotected from continued erosion.

Mr. Tom Wadson farms 25 acres scattered between Southampton and Paget. He owns one acre, which he describes as an "investment of conscience''.

"It doesn't pay to own it, but I feel I should put my weight behind farming,'' said Mr. Wadson.

"What keeps farmers going is benevolent, principled landowners. I think the Government should be more supportive towards farmers and address the developers' rights issue.

"It has been discussed, but there has been no action.'' Dr. Roberta Dow, assistant director of agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks, insists the department feels strongly about protecting farm land.

"There should be an arable land policy,'' said Dr. Dow. "We would like Government to take a stand on it.

"The concern is the protection of farming for the long term. Each year less land is available for farmers to rent.

"Contrary to what most land owners think, if land is taken out of production it remains classified as arable land unless a planning tribunal rules differently.

"Much arable land had development permission granted prior to the 1992 planning statement.'' Dr. Dow is adamant that agriculture, one of Bermuda's last primary industries, must be nurtured. "We must protect this ability to produce home-grown produce year round.

"Farming is one way of keeping money cycling in the local economy,'' she said.

From an aesthetic point of view, farming helped retain Bermuda's historically rural appearance, she said. "It helps relieve the congestion and provides important open space.'' In common with farmers worldwide, the working day in Bermuda is an unrelenting dawn to dusk regime. Successful farmers are those who work long hours and have in-depth knowledge about planting and maintenance before and after harvesting, which determines the quality of the product.

Mr. Roland Hill Jr., a farmer for 19 years, works about 29 acres of land in assorted patches, ranging the entire span of the Island. Reaping large profits is not his main incentive, but love of the farming life.

"I am a relatively new farmer so I have to work the land that other farmers don't want,'' said Mr. Hill.

The land that no one would dare to touch, he said, is 14 acres at Hog Bay Park in Southampton, now a Government park.

"The farm is torn up by scramblers and the park's trees are cut down and stolen,'' said Mr. Hill, who has lost whole crops, not only to thieves, but to the wheels of scramblers' bikes.

"Young people see park land as a dumping ground,'' lamented Mr. Hill.

However, his main grievance is the embargo system in Bermuda.

Dr. Dow explained the system's structure. "If Bermuda farmers can supply the complete market for a week, then an embargo is imposed, which means importers may not bring in their products. Products are required to be of a certain quantity, quality and a reasonable price.

"Most of the time is spent without an embargo so farmers have to do the best that they can.'' Mr. Hill believed the two week period before the embargo comes into effect was too long. The "archaic system'' should be speeded up to 48 hours, he said.

"Embargo is the farmer's tool and that is what is saving us.'' Mr. Wadson agreed. "The embargo was created at the time when freight was transported in sailing boats. Import agents can now get broccoli from New York as fast as they can get it from me,'' said Mr. Wadson.

Mr. John Kiernan, sales manager at Atlantic Imports, said he was primarily obligated to the customer. Imported fruit and vegetables can be substantially cheaper than local produce.

"When I am dealing with retailers, I am looking for the best possible price,'' said Mr. Kiernan, who has been involved in produce wholesaling at Atlantic Imports for the last year.

He said local farmers could also be unpredictable about supplying produce.

"Sometimes it's difficult to get along with the farmers,'' he said. "Some of the local retail agents will not talk directly to them.'' Most recent figures revealed that 71 farmers were registered in 1992, with 32 working full-time and 39 working part-time. They employed a total of 48 staff, with more than half employed on a part-time basis.

The registered total acreage was 392, which accounted for 47 percent of total arable land.

Data collected from autumn, 1989, to spring, 1989, about land zoned as arable showed a total of 930 acres.

The advantage of farmers registering with the Ministry is access to a spray service; cheap ice to pre-chill products; the marketing facilities at the Marketing Centre and duty advantages.

In 1992, there were seven commercial dairy herds, which produced 1.4 million quarts of milk, and one commercial goat milk operation. Local poultry produced approximately 1.8 million eggs.

MR. TOM WATSON -- `What keeps farmers going is benevolent principled landowners.