The Government was urged to re-think its plan to look again at the ban on fish pots.

And UBP MP Trevor Moniz said it would be better to spend money on beefing up policing of the regulation than beginning a green paper on the controversial issue.

Mr. Moniz and several other MPs raised the issue during the budget debate on the Environment.

And the issue of planning procedures, listed buildings and appeals were also raised.

Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson said one of the major problems facing them was the fish pot ban.

He said it was important to develop a consensus on the issue, since there was a possibility of a detrimental impact with the pots.

His Ministry was determined to have sustainable development for the benefit of all the people, protecting and preserving the environment for future generations.

Mr. Moniz said the fish pot ban was one of the successes of the UBP Government, and one that had borne fruit with the continued growth of fish stocks in the inshore waters.

"We shouldn't be revisiting the ban, it is clear that there should be a ban,'' he said.

"It is a waste of time and money to go back. We should be looking at more policing of the existing ban. Two people trying to regulate the coastline is far too few.'' His words were echoed by Shadow Environment Minister Gary Pitman, who called for public meetings to be held on the planned marine resources and fishing green paper.

"The fish pot ban will be an important issue. The legislation took a great deal of courage, we deserve a great deal of credit,'' he said.

Mr. Hodgson vowed to do his best to protect open spaces and to make the planning department more user friendly.

Of the planning appeals process, he hinted that the procedure of bringing in UK inspectors might be terminated.

He said the plan -- which only got underway last year -- was intended to give objectivity to the appeals process but there was a time for taking responsibility.

In the future, he said there may be a way of looking at utilising Bermudians instead.

Mr. Pitman queried why there had been a rise in appeals but the Minister said it was a result of a buoyant economy.

The listed buildings policy would continue, he added, with negotiations continuing with owners who had yet to sign up for the programme.

Mr. Pitman asked how many people were in favour and how many were still objecting.

Former Environment Minister Erwin Adderley said that some owners would need incentives to renovate listed buildings in depressed areas.

"Unless there is going to be public money, individuals are not going to spend their money because they won't get a return because of the area that it is located in,'' he said.

And he said some people who have maintained their homes for years and suddenly find they are listed, may not relish the Government telling them how to do things.

He also raised the issue of building in Hamilton, outside of the city limits.

Mr. Hodgson warned that the new land valuation draft due in April would inevitably mean substantial rises in land tax for many people.

He said it was six years since the last valuation and things had changed drastically since then.

Devonshire South MP Michael Dunkley and Mr. Pitman were united in their call for something to be done about the feral cats and chickens on the Island.

A reduction programme should be implemented, especially to protect farmers, and Mr. Dunkley suggested culling the chickens with firearms.

Ministry of Environment, Planning and Natural Resources 1999/00 estimates Ministry responsibility: To regulate the development of land, to protect the Bermuda environment, to provide for the valuation of land, and to promote the development of agriculture and fisheries in Bermuda, and in so doing promote wise use of land and effective management of agricultural, fisheries and natural resources.

Budget estimate: $11,079,000 (last year $10,553,000) Revenue: $2,096,000 Budget allocations Department of Planning $2,231,000 Agriculture & Fisheries $6,824,000 Land Valuation $572,000 Ministry of the Environment HQ $1,452,000