Government is working with farmers to see how food production can be increased to make Bermuda less reliant on importers after fears the Island could be cut-off if terrorists struck again.

New Environment Minister Dennis Lister said he was getting information from farmers about how they could be helped.

He said: "What September 11 brought home to Bermuda and other offshore locations is that at a moment we could be cut off from major suppliers.

"In that regard we have to see that there is some means of us being able to balance it, to come up with something. But I don't think we could ever cover what's imported, I don't think there is enough available land to cater for all of us but there is a local market that can be accommodated."

Farmer Tom Wadson said he was flooded with calls from restaurants and hotels after September 11 inquiring about getting food though he said the imports hadn't been disrupted.

He said: "There is definitely some concern. We did wake up and think what do you do if food doesn't come through.

"Surely we should be a bit organised? We are only 60,000 people and we are a small blip on the radar. It's going to be discussed, it's a significant issue."

He said hoarding of food would be one way forward but he said much more could be done to boost local agriculture.

He said Government called for the import duty on new agriculture equipment to be looked at.

Mr. Wadson said: "We pay 22.25 percent. You can't encourage people to take risks with that. Agriculture could be a lot better organised if we had the resources."

He admitted the Island would never be self sufficient but said looking at the issue was a step in the right direction.

And he suggested vacant land the Baselands in Southampton should be earmarked for agriculture.

But Mr. Lister added that he couldn't comment on the Baselands because it does not come under his Ministry.