Honey, I considered the animals!
We can all agree that there are significant, or not so significant, differences between species. What we should do is take individual animals’ interests into consideration and take it from there. There are many times when indeed there is not much, if anything at all, we can currently do. Times when our interest to have a good night sleep or be safe and healthy is superior to an animal’s interest to live. I am thinking of loud mosquitoes who won’t go away, or a significant rat infestation in your home. Times when we do not have a realistic option besides having animals killed. Hopefully as we influence society, animals are increasingly taken into consideration and we can have better options.
I try to take insects into account and I don’t kill insects when I can easily avoid it. I don’t have a problem with honey because 1/ it’s likely that just as many insects (but also rodents and other sentient animals!) are killed to produce, harvest and transport some honey alternatives and 2/ it should not be a priority nowadays when people consider it normal to have sentient animals killed and mistreated for their culinary enjoyment.
It’s also possible to produce and harvest honey with minimal impact on animals — although this is not the way honey is currently mass produced.
Animal advocacy (veganism / anti-speciesism / animalism, whatever!) is not about “viewing animals as equal”. Let’s not further divide animal advocates over a product which does not involve more insects killed than most other plant based products. Yes, it’s not hard to live without honey. It’s also not hard to live without almonds or breakfast cereals but I don’t see vegans excluding others over almonds or breakfast cereals. Let’s have some perspective. The fact that honey is produced by animals is not relevant when it comes to how many insects and animals are hurt or killed to make a product. There is no rational reason for one’s aim to be to avoid anything produced by an animal. Our aim should be to look at pragmatic ways to reduce suffering and help the most animals. Our aim should be to change society so animals are better considered.
The counter-argument to this is that consistency can help people see the bigger picture of a society where we systematically care about animals. Blanket statements rejecting all animal products may appear as clearer and louder. It is also not particularly difficult to avoid honey.
I am personally not convinced by these arguments but I can appreciate them. I see more value here and now in being inclusive and picking our battles wisely in order to help improve the situation of animals. In fact, this is a key reason why I encourage everyone to support the excellent work of One Step For Animals. -> Click <-
