There's no cruelty in leather
So what's the problem?
The first thing to understand about leather production is that it's not just a byproduct of the meat industry but actually an integral part. A dead cow's skin is worth around ten percent of it's total value, making it the most valuable part of the body once the carcass is divided up. Because of this, wearing leather helps keep the meat industry (and factory farms) profitable and able to continue.
The second, perhaps more surprising, fact is that much of the world's leather comes from animals that were raised and slaughtered (often in deplorable conditions) primarily for their skin. Many people consider the breeding and killing of animals purely for fashion the unacceptable face of the fur industry, yet due to the cultural myth of leather 'helping us use all of the animal' the same dubious ethics associated with fur go totally under the radar when we think of leather.
Many people also like the notion of leather as a 'natural' choice, yet the chemicals used to treat and tan cow's skins are amongst the most toxic on the planet and regularly lead to untold environmental damage (this is obvious when you think about it - these are chemicals strong enough to stop the skin of a dead animal from decomposing).
For those who feel we should focus more on human suffering than that of animals, the conditions for leather workers are exceptionally awful. The same chemicals that destroy the environment also destroy the health of the people who work in, or even just live close to, leather tanneries.
As with fur, it can also be difficult to trace or authenticate the origin of leather products so it's difficult to know to what extent human suffering or environmental damage played a part in a particular items production.
In all cases however, animals kept in poor conditions were brutally killed against their will and toxic chemicals were used to tan the skins. In some cases even the species of animal used is suspect, as demonstrated in this utterly horrifying undercover video of dogs being slaughtered for their skins ready to be used in the commercial production of leather.
And so, as with all animal products, the question we need to ask ourselves is why don't we just wear, use, eat
or drink something else? Because the power to stop these cruel and destructive practices lies directly with us
in the way we spend our money, and through the everyday choices we make.
The second, perhaps more surprising, fact is that much of the world's leather comes from animals that were raised and slaughtered (often in deplorable conditions) primarily for their skin. Many people consider the breeding and killing of animals purely for fashion the unacceptable face of the fur industry, yet due to the cultural myth of leather 'helping us use all of the animal' the same dubious ethics associated with fur go totally under the radar when we think of leather.
Many people also like the notion of leather as a 'natural' choice, yet the chemicals used to treat and tan cow's skins are amongst the most toxic on the planet and regularly lead to untold environmental damage (this is obvious when you think about it - these are chemicals strong enough to stop the skin of a dead animal from decomposing).
For those who feel we should focus more on human suffering than that of animals, the conditions for leather workers are exceptionally awful. The same chemicals that destroy the environment also destroy the health of the people who work in, or even just live close to, leather tanneries.
As with fur, it can also be difficult to trace or authenticate the origin of leather products so it's difficult to know to what extent human suffering or environmental damage played a part in a particular items production.
In all cases however, animals kept in poor conditions were brutally killed against their will and toxic chemicals were used to tan the skins. In some cases even the species of animal used is suspect, as demonstrated in this utterly horrifying undercover video of dogs being slaughtered for their skins ready to be used in the commercial production of leather.
And so, as with all animal products, the question we need to ask ourselves is why don't we just wear, use, eat
or drink something else? Because the power to stop these cruel and destructive practices lies directly with us
in the way we spend our money, and through the everyday choices we make.
Fashion
Shouldn't Bleed: The Leather Industry |
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The toxic price
of leather |
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The dog
leather trade |
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"Everywhere animals are in chains, but we image them as free."
Carol J. Adams
Carol J. Adams