Captive bees pollinate 80% of our food....Is that food still considered Vegan?!
Captive bees pollinate 80% of our food....Is that food still considered Vegan?
I have a question concerning Captive Bees. In light of the recent problems with Colony Collapse Disorder that seems to be killing off captive bees at an alarming rate, I came across an interesting bit of information: Fully 80% of all fruits and vegetables appearing in grocery stores and markets are pollinated by CAPTIVE BEES. The philosophy of Veganism prohibits the ingestion or use of ANY product that is made from animal (including insects) flesh or is the result of animals being held captive in order to gather products at their expense.
If a Vegan can't eat honey, then should that person also reject the other products made possible by the captive bee's efforts?
Should Vegan's be looking for farmers who can certify that they only use wild bees for pollination?
2 months ago
Captive bees are sujected to same types of unethical treatment that is common for all livestock including feedlot situations(hives are moved from orchard to orchard), robbery of their biological food(royal jelly and honey), and substitution of lower quality foods(sugar water and high fructose corn syrup). Recently, more than 25% of the bee hives in the United States have died due to an unidentified problem that has been labeled Colony Collapse Disorder. The disorder only seems to affect captive bees.
Answers:
2 months ago
Captive bees are sujected to same types of unethical treatment that is common for all livestock including feedlot situations(hives are moved from orchard to orchard), robbery of their biological food(royal jelly and honey), and substitution of lower quality foods(sugar water and high fructose corn syrup). Recently, more than 25% of the bee hives in the United States have died due to an unidentified problem that has been labeled Colony Collapse Disorder. The disorder only seems to affect captive bees.
Pollen does not come from bees. Bees transport pollen. No bees die from pollination.
I would say the food is still vegan because the bees are just doing what they would do anyway, just in a different place. But I'm not hung up on the fine print of insect rights.
Interesting point. But we need to eat SOMETHING lol.