>  There's also a big issue about the introduction of the bumblebee species 'sold' for pollination into habitats where they didn't occur, and where  the pests and diseases they carry may not be endemic to other 'native' bumblebee species, as you well know.

Certainly is here.  The Dutch started with their local bees, but then moved production to Eastern Europe and Turkey.  Now we have those bees being brought to the UK for pollination of crops in polytunnels and glasshouses.  They are supposed to be destroyed when they have completed their pollination work, but they are often used in polytunnels open at both ends so that new queens escape easily into the surrounding countryside at the end of the season.  Now the survival of our native bumblebees is threatened by them.

Best wishes

Peter 
52°14'44.44"N, 1°50'35"W

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