""The situation there is extremely serious. The scientific studies we have conducted show a health disaster in the Antilles," he said, referring to the islands.

French Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot said Belpomme's report still needed to be confirmed by other scientific studies but she said she "shared his concerns".

Belpomme said the use of pesticides such as chlordecone had caused long-term contamination of soil and groundwater. The pesticide was banned from use in Guadeloupe and Martinique in 1993 but Belpomme said its effects lingered.

"In Martinique, most springs are contaminated. Fruit and root vegetables are contaminated by pesticides, some meat is as well," he said.

He said rates of prostate cancer in the French Caribbean islands were among the highest in the world and there was a rising incidence of congenital deformities in babies.

"Extrapolations show that practically one man in two runs the risk of developing prostate cancer," he said.

He said there was as yet no scientific proof linking prostate cancer with chlordecone but he aimed to conduct further tests later this year.

Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier told Europe 1 radio the situation was "very serious" but he said the destruction of much of the banana stock last month by Hurricane Dean was an opportunity to change practices.