Vegan News 4.16.13

By Published On: 16 April 2013Last Updated: 17 January 2017

EPA dragging feet on bee deaths, giant snails, sea birds killed by marine chemical, Coachella vegan eats, Chinese poach more wildlife for "medicine."

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Feds Will Take Their Sweet Time Evaluating Pesticide Linked to Bee Deaths. “…given the weight of evidence that has accumulated since 2011 on the pesticides’ harm, can we expect the EPA to ban or at least restrict them anytime soon? No. The agency is sticking to its guns—not in defense of honeybees, but rather in defense of the chemicals that appear to be killing them. Last week, CBS News ‘checked in’ with EPA about its review. The agency’s response: it ‘should be completed in five years.’ Which means at least another half-decade of vast swaths of lands planted with neonic-treated crops.”

Giant snails on advance in Florida. “The snail is considered one of the most destructive invasive species, feeding voraciously on more than 500 plant species. They can also eat through plaster walls, which provides the calcium content they need for their shells. Experts recently gathered at a science meeting in Gainesville to seek the best way of eradicating the snails.”

South West sea birds ‘probably killed by PIB.‘ “A substance thought to be responsible for the deaths of more than 350 birds is probably the same as that which affected hundreds earlier in the year, experts have said. Scientists from Plymouth University said they were ‘almost certain’ it was polyisobutene (PIB). It is often used by ships to make their engines work more efficiently.”

Coachella 2013: A festival where vegan food rules. “Coachella took on some enticing new vegan options this year (but seemed to lose some too). Here’s what was tasty this weekend: The Jamaican Ital stand, The vegan stand by the Outdoor Stage, Green Truck veggie burgers, and The indoor cocktail bar at the Rose Garden.”

Bad ride for wildlife: Chinese boat filled with meat of protected species hits Philippine reef. “A Chinese boat that ran into a coral reef in the southwestern Philippines held evidence of even more environmental destruction inside: more than 10,000 kilograms (22,000 pounds) of meat from a protected species, the pangolin or scaly anteater. The animals are protected in many Asian nations, and an international trade ban has been in effect since 2002, but illicit trade continues. The meat and scales of the pangolin fetch hundreds of dollars per kilogram in China, where many believe they cure various ailments.”

Photo credit: Aaron Kor via Flickr

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HELLO! I'm KD Angle-Traegner.

Writer, activist, and founder of Four Urban Paws Sanctuary. I’m on a mission to help people live a vegan life. Read more about KD…

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