Environmental groups slam UK plans to ditch pesticide laws

British wildlife groups and campaigners have hit out at government's plans to ditch legislation covering pesticide use, as part of a drive to remove EU laws after Brexit.

The government in London said it will scratch 570 environmental laws from the statute book, after they were rolled over from Britain's time in the European Union.

On Wednesday, popular wildlife television presenter Steve Backshall joined a chorus of opposition, warning that overturning laws on pesticides could have a deadly effect on bee populations and river pollution.

"In recent times increasing pesticide use has caused localised extinctions of bee populations and has make our rivers toxic, this is a time for our government to protect wildlife and people from pesticide harm," he added.

"I would urge our new government to reconsider removing pesticide regulation," added Backshall, who s also heads insect conservation group Buglife.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) called the plans from new Prime Minister Liz Truss's government an "unprecedented attack on nature".

"We will not stand by and let this happen," it vowed.

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