Protesters deliver millions of dead bees to EPA headquarters

NBC NEWS - Protesters delivered millions of dead bees to the Environmental Protection Agency's Washington headquarters Wednesday.

For the past decade scientists have been trying to figure out why so many honey bees populations are collapsing.

"The bees are dying in droves," says Maryland beekeeper Stephen McDaniel.

McDaniel's hives were hit in December.

"The bees were bringing in nectar and pollen which I've never seen, Christmas, Christmas Eve, and then the next week they all started to die," he says.

Farmers, beekeepers and scientists brought more than two million dead bees to Washington.

They think toxic pesticides are killing the bees, and they're asking the federal government to do something.

Last year, the EPA asked for the public's input on banning pesticides toxic to bees when crops are in bloom. They hope to issue a final policy by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the government has recorded an eight percent drop in honey bee colonies since last year. Officials blame breeding, nutrition and pests, including the varroa mite.