Natural England has extended the valid period of the current Class licence, whichpermitsgrowers to releasenon-native bumblebees in glasshouses or polytunnels, to31 March 2014.
Defra and Natural England have concerns about the impact non-native subspecies may have on native wild bumble bees. The NFU understands thatthelicensing arrangements are currently being further reviewed, with the intention of bringing in new arrangements for non-native bumblebees later in 2014.
In the meantime, the current conditions of thelicence will remain valid until at least 31 March 2014.