Government may consider importing foreign clay for the controversial cricket pitch at the National Sports Centre (NSC), can reveal.

However, any shipment of overseas clay would have to undergo extensive laboratory analysis and be ?sterilised? before it reached the Island?s shores, according to Director of Environmental Protection, Dr. Tom Sleeter.

Under the Agriculture (Control of Plant Disease and Pest Regulation) Act 1970, strict regulations have been imposed to help protect the local environment from undesirable fungi, bacteria and nematodes (worms).

And these regulations are central to the rebuilding of the NSC pitch which came under heavy criticism during last summer?s Americas Championship, Inter-Continental Cup and West Indies and Barbados tours of the Island.

After a close inspection of the controversial strip last weekend, International Cricket Council (ICC) grounds consultant, Andy Atkinson, described the Island?s showpiece wicket as not suitable for ?growing carrots? and recommended clay be imported from overseas.

NSC Board of Trustees officials and Government will now await Atkinson?s final assessment before deciding what course of action to take.

Earlier this year the Island submitted a bid to host a 2007 World Cup match and possibly stage World Cup warm-up matches at the Sports Centre.

?Soil is prohibited under the agricultural act because it has so many micro-organisms in it. And so the importation of soil in Bermuda is prohibited as it is in most other jurisdictions around the world,? explained Dr.Sleeter yesterday.

?There is a burrowing nematode (worm) that effects all sorts of agricultural and plant products and one that we really have to watch out for because of its potential to cause considerable economic damage in Bermuda.

?But I?d like to see a copy of the report because if the soil can be first inspected and then sterilised then that could very well be a possibility.?

Strict regulations have also been imposed to help prevent the spread of pests, diseases, fungi, rusts, moulds, yeast, bacteria, viruses, parasites and worms all of which can also have a negative impact on the Island?s delicate environment.

Dr.Sleeter has already held brief talks with Ministry of Sport officials and both parties have agreed to wait until Atkinson submits a final report before discussions resume concerning the Sports Centre?s cricket pitch.

?I had a brief exchange with Dr.Derek Binns (Permanent Secretary of Sport) and he told me to wait for the report and then we can sit together and discuss it,? said Dr.Sleeter.

?I think we just really need to know what the requirements are and then see if we can work together to come to an acceptable resolution.?