MORE than 1.6 million people have backed calls to ban bee-killing pesticides.

The petition, co-ordinated by Greenpeace UK, was handed in to the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) today, addressed to environment minister Emma Hardy.

Campaigners dressed in bee outfits delivered the petition and carried placards that read “Pesticides Buzz Off” and “Bee Safe.”

Bee-killing neonicotinoids have been banned across Europe since 2018, but the previous Tory government approved the chemicals for emergency use.

Fifteen charities, including the RSPB and the Wildlife Trust, wrote to the environment minister separately, calling for a total ban, adding that it will give more incentive for the funding of research into alternatives. 

Greenpeace UK campaigner Anthony Lewis said: “Using neonicotinoids to ‘protect’ crops is like setting fire to your house to protect it from burglars. 

“Yes, it will destroy pests, but it will also kill bees and other vital pollinators we depend on for the food we’re trying to grow. It’s absurd.

“Bee populations have been decimated over recent years, with the use of neonicotinoids one of the drivers of this decline.”

Environment Minister Emma Hardy said:  “We are delivering on our promise to ban toxic bee-killing pesticides and ending the long-term decline of our wildlife.

“A healthy environment is vital to our food and economic security. Protecting bees by stopping the use of damaging neonicotinoids is an important step in supporting the long-term health of our environment and waterways, and our farming sector.”