Welfare of Animals in the Skins and Hides Trade

The global skins and hides trade involves cattle, sheep, pigs, and exotic species, with welfare conditions during rearing and slaughter rarely scrutinized in the context of leather production.

Key Facts

Over 1 billion animal hides are processed globally each year for leather goods
Most bovine leather is a byproduct of the beef industry, but some hides come from dedicated slaughter
Exotic leather including python, stingray, and ostrich involves species with specific and often unmet welfare needs
Chrome tanning uses toxic chemicals harmful to workers and ecosystems; vegetable tanning is a lower-harm alternative
Certified leather standards that include animal welfare criteria remain a small fraction of global supply

Welfare Considerations

The leather industry benefits from the perception that it uses byproduct materials, reducing moral scrutiny relative to direct slaughter for skins. While much bovine leather is indeed a co-product, the conditions under which cattle were raised and slaughtered — including long-distance live transport and inadequate stunning — contribute to the leather supply chain. Exotic leathers involve dedicated killing of species with complex welfare needs. Transparency about the full welfare history of leather products is essential for informed consumer choices.

What You Can Do

Research the welfare history of leather goods before purchase
Choose leather alternatives or certified humane leather where available
Support supply chain transparency requirements for leather goods retailers
Advocate for welfare criteria to be included in all leather certification standards