Honey, Bees, and Pollination
Contents
Context
The question of whether honey is vegan is frequently brought up by those new to or considering veganism. According to the most widely accepted definition of veganism, and the definition embraced by JFA, honey is implicitly proscribed. Veganism is "a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible an practicable, all forms of exploitation of and cruelty to animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose."[1]
Considering the information presented below in the talking points, it would be hard to deny that bees are exploited and harmed when the honey they have made for themselves is taken from their hives for human consumption. In addition, honey provides no essential nutrients and can be easily avoided, satisfying the "possible and practicable" clause in the definition.
Advocacy
Less clear and more nuanced than the question of whether honey is vegan, is the degree of zeal and insistence we should convey when we respond to inquiries about honey. Discussions about honey should be done with an awareness that:
- insects rank low on society's hierarchy of concern for animals, and
- bees are used to pollinate some of the fruits and vegetables that we vegans eat.
In light of this awareness, one way to respond is as follows:
- State that most people who identify as vegan do not consume honey because it involves the exploitation of animals.
- Very briefly describe the ways in which bees are harmed (see below).
- Very briefly explain why commercial bees are not necessary for pollination, and may actually be harmful to sustainability (see below).
- Invite your interlocuter to research and decide for themselves, then mildly point out that if they still disagreed with your position on honey, it would be insincere and illogical to use that as a justification for eating other animal products.
Talking Points
- ↑ “Definition of Veganism.” The Vegan Society. Accessed March 31, 2019. https://www.vegansociety.com/go-vegan/definition-veganism.
