The ethical dilemma of leather
Posted in: Burning issues by Lily Barclay , October 14, 2008 – 1:32 pm
Whether or not people choose to wear leather often depends on how they feel about the ethics of the meat industry. But it’s not uncommon for strict veggies to be ok with wearing it – considering it as a by-product of meat farming.
Some argue that it is a form of recycling, after all if the animal is going to be killed, surely a “waste not, want not” attitude is the best idea? Especially when it provides such a durable material that can be used for years to come.
Or maybe not. The answer really lies in how comfortable you are with feeding money back into the meat industry. Leather is a multi-billion dollar industry, where the skin of a cow is actually worth about 10% of the animal’s total value.
Leather can be a very profitable trade, which isn’t always the case with meat. In other words, the leather trade isn’t totally dependent on our appetite for meat.
Those who buy strictly free-range or organic meat might also find they are facing an ethical problem. Most of the leather used in the US and Europe comes from China, India and countries where there are little or no animal legislation laws. In fact, when it comes to quality leather the softest, most expensive, variety comes from the skin of newborn or even unborn calves.
Vegetarian shoes and bags might have a reputation for being less than cutting-edge fashion, but that’s not to say there aren’t good options out there. It seems strange that, at a time when so many designers are jumping on the ethical bandwagon, a leather jacket is still one of this year’s ‘must-have’ items.
Comments
I agree, I avoid buying leather items and certainly not for a handbag. The problem I have found is that living in a rural area makes it very difficult to find shoes that are not leather, a decent price and decent quality. It seems that vegan shoes go up in price just because of what they are, and ordering on internet is difficult when you have awkward feet like mine!
Flag as inappropriateFree range beef by its very nature is very harmful for the environment, If we must have cattle they should be in enclosed conditions where the greenhouse gases could be collected and stored.
Flag as inappropriatei think this argument is a complete waste of time. people will never stop eating beef so to waste the skin/leather is foolish and silly.
Flag as inappropriatewithout man’s artificial multiplication of the cow itself, there would be insufficient animals to sustain anyone, let alone a eather industry. Leather is a durable material well suited to clothing. Cows aren’t simply bred for making leather, it is a “cast-off” industry and such debate is pointless
Flag as inappropriateI am a vegetarian but I like wearing leather.
Eating an animal and wearing its processed skin are quite separate, although it does seem to cause some confusion.
Leather appears to me to be a by-product of using cows to produce either beef or milk.
I do not equate leather with cows being hunted for their hides and their carcasses being left either to rot or as carrion. Throwing the skin away would be far worse, given that eating cows is acceptable.
If everyone stops eating cows, I will stop wearing leather. Logically, I would have no problem with people wearing fur if they were prepared to accept mink and foxes as foodstuffs. But that is another debate for another time, I suppose.
Flag as inappropriateWhat a lot on nonsense that just makes reasonable people that like the vegitarian option appear to be sad weird people.
Flag as inappropriateI kept Rabbits for food, they provided me with, the joy of seeing them romping around in the ‘warren’ we made for them. Meat, Manure for my Green crops and Fur, in return they had a year in a safe and secure home. When the time came for me to kill and dress them, I did it a swiftly and stress free as I was able. They were never kill within sight or sound of their companions and only ever when we needed food for ther family, never for gain profit or pleasure. I see nothing wrong in doing this. I see nothing wrong in wearing leather. But I’ll stand between the abuser of anyone and the about to be abused, be they human or other animal.
Flag as inappropriateI am Vegan, keen conservationist, ecologist and animal rights activist and strongly oppose the use of ANY leather products.
Flag as inappropriateI have been to India and cows are revered there.
Flag as inappropriateThe only leather/suede that I wear tends to be second hand/recycled. It is a very durable material which will last for decades and longer. One can plausibly argue that the cotton trade is far more inhumane and inethical, due to the vast amount of land it too takes up in the growing process, but also the disgusting treatment of the cotton pickers and workers (notably in India). The ethical treatment is just as important as that of animals. Poeple should be reminded of this. So no matter what material you choose, there are always going to be some negative impacts given off by its production.
Flag as inappropriateI have a leather coat that I used to love, i always thought that the animal was going to be eaten anway, so why waste the leather? But as a veggie and on reading that the leather is not neccessarily a by-product, I dont think i’ll be wearng it again anytime soon!
Flag as inappropriateThrowing away the skin (on its own durable and biodegradable) when the animals are killed anyway would be a waste, I agree. But the meat-industry on a whole is simply unsustainable, using land and water and producing tonnes of greenhouse gasses.
Flag as inappropriateWearing rubber as an alternative might not be a good idea but when it comes to bags it’s great! Bags of Change have a fairly-traded wild rubber shopping bag that looks like a leather bag and will also last you a lifetime. On top of that shopping with them gets you great discounts (do i hear someone say ‘credit crunch’ ;-)) at independant ethical and Fairtrade stores. My sis and girlfriend love them! Check it out: http://www.bagsofchange.co.uk/bags