More than 40 campaigners were arrested after they blockaded the Huddersfield headquarters of Syngenta in a protest over chemicals it processes that are deadly to bees.

Activists from Greenpeace turned the roundabout outside the firm’s offices into a giant hazard symbol and locked themselves onto barrels blocking gates to the site.

The stunt, timed to coincide with World Bee Day, was to highlight a commonly used insecticide called lambda-cyhalothrin that disrupts the nervous system of insects, causing paralysis.

It is highly toxic to bees and aquatic life, and does not break down easily in the environment.

Activists have turned a roundabout outside the front entrance of Syngenta’s HQ into a giant hazard symbol carrying the message “Syngenta poisons nature” with an arrow pointing directly at Syngenta’s building Credit Greenpeace

placeholder image — Activists have turned a roundabout outside the front entrance of Syngenta’s HQ into a giant hazard symbol carrying the message “Syngenta poisons nature” with an arrow pointing directly at Syngenta’s building Credit Greenpeace

Greenpeace described the arrests, which included its UK campaigns director, as a “huge overreaction”.

Greenpeace is calling for a 50% reduction in pesticide and fertiliser use by 2030. In contrast the UK’s Pesticides National Action Plan aims to reduce pesticide load indicators by 10% from 2018 levels by 2030.

Campaigner Nina Schrank said: “Our countryside and the wildlife we love is being poisoned by pesticides made and sold by Syngenta.

"Just one teaspoon of the Syngenta-made pesticide, Hallmark, is enough to kill 13 million bees."

Activists blockade the UK headquarters of pesticide company Syngenta

Syngenta said: “Syngenta believes crop protection products play a key role in global food security.

“Farmers, be they in the UK or around the world, face a range of challenges and differing conditions, and require a range of products and technologies to support agricultural production. Climatic changes, pest pressures, soil types, economics - a one‑size‑fits‑all approach to agriculture is not viable.

"Therefore, a range of regulated tools, including crop protection products, are essential to help farmers protect yields, reduce food loss, and produce affordable, safe, food.

“Without effective crop protection, significant proportions of crops can be lost to pests, weeds, and disease, with serious consequences for food availability and cost.”