A new "green'' approach to controlling plant pests in Bermuda could be on its way with the appointment of a new Government plant protection officer specialising in biological control techniques.

Charged with protecting Bermuda's plants from local and imported pests, St.

Vincent-born specialist Dr. Jeffrey Jones said this week he would like to see Bermudians eschew the quick "chemical fix'' of pesticides for a more earth-friendly approach.

This could be as simple as removing a patch of insect-attracting weeds from the vicinity of a field of crops.

Or it could involve the introduction of a natural predator, rotating crops or changing soil composition.

Often, he said, successful pest control involved a combination of chemical, biological and other methods.

Dr. Jones who filled his new post as plant protection officer at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries just six weeks ago, claims there is plenty of scope to reduce the amount of chemicals used by agriculturalists.

As a specialist in applied entomology (the study of insects) and as head of the Ministry of Agriculture Plant Protection Division in Barbados for 12 years, Dr. Jones is well-versed in alternative approaches to pest control.

One of his aims is to wean gardeners and farmers off pesticides in favour of less expensive and more earth-friendly methods.

"Short term chemical intervention is not a sustainable way of broaching pest problems,'' he said.

But Dr. Jones was at pains to point out his methods were not new to Bermuda.

They have been tried here before as early as 1895 when a new toad species was introduced.

Other early attempts were made between 1920 and 1945 but since then, the idea had lapsed.

"There is still a lot than can be done,'' Dr. Jones said. "There are lots of target pests that can be looked at. I am in favour of an integrated pest management approach, meaning the use of a variety of pest control tools instead of a quick chemical response.'' Crop rotation and soil preparation combined with a judicious use of pesticides was often the most effective approach, he said.

"If chemicals are used over and over again it becomes a type of chemical soup -- pests simply become more resistant and it finally exacerbates the problem.

The fewer chemicals we pour into the system, the better it is for the country.'' Plant protection was of particular importance in Bermuda -- an Island dependent on its natural beauty to attract visitors, he said.

"Essentially the job has to do with the protection of plants of economic importance. As a tourist related island, Bermuda's beauty and the protection of its plant species is a priority.'' The strict regulation of plant material entering the country was another top priority, with agricultural officers working closely with Customs and the Police to seize illegally imported plants.

"There is a lot of importation of plant material here,'' he said. "We must be sure it poses no pest risk.'' Recently, he said, Police alerted him to a boat that arrived in Bermuda with scale-covered coconut palm fronds on board. Luckily they were discovered in time before the disease infected locally species.

Dr. Jones added he was in favour of launching an education drive to inform the public which plants are prohibited and the dangers they pose to local flora.

"We want people to know that quarantine, which many people regard as mere humbug, is a means of protection but also a means of facilitating the importation of goods,'' he said. "We will be trying to educate the public in relation to that function and the responsibility they have when they travel.''