Bermuda is well on its way to tackling plant pests and disease that can ruin gardens and crops.

Several advances have been made in recent years that have made the Island a safer place for growing plants and have reduced the risk from disease arriving from overseas.

Senior plant protection officer Dr. Jeffrey Jones, who left his post yesterday after three years for a new position in Italy, said the environment was now in much better shape because of strategies set in place since his arrival, in 1995.

Disease and plant quarantine have been issues tackled by Dr. Jones and his department -- with strict controls being imposed on vessels bringing plants into the island and a new research unit being established.

"When I came here there were several pest and disease problems that were of economic importance to Bermuda. We have tackled these problems, developing a strategy to manage these better,'' said Dr Jones.

"The horticultural and agricultural communities are better off because of our efforts. And I have left staff stronger with increased capability to respond to pest problems.'' Advances have included redressing the parasite imbalance by the introduction of certain predators and the increased public awareness of pest and disease problems.

Dr. Jones praised the public and growers for their alertness in helping to tackle unwanted pests and bringing to the department's attention parasites spotted on plants.

In addition, he said there had been some success in trying to wean farmers away from using too much pesticides on the land.

"We have made them aware of pests and disease problems and we have made appeals to control them with the tendency toward natural methods - so pesticides become a last resort.'' While Islanders can help to stop plant disease on their own patch, it is up to the plant protection unit to reduce the threat from the rest of the world.

During his time, Dr. Jones has supervised screenings of vessels in port -- and in the past has helped stop potentially dangerous infestations of whiteflies and fruitflies coming ashore.

"We try to control the importation of plants and plant material, we must ensure that they come in free from pests and disease -- even with the best will in the world the threat is always there.'' St Vincent-born Dr. Jones, who takes up a post as a plant quarantine officer with the United Nations in April, said education programmes had helped get the public on their side when tackling 'unwanted visitors' from trips overseas.