We often talk about the outstanding qualities of leather and the positive impact leather carries in turning a waste-product (a hide) into a beautiful, durable material. But, let’s take one step back. What is the value of cattle?Nutrition. Animal-source foods are recognised as some of the best available sources of high-quality, nutrient-dense food. With our global population expected to rise until at least 2050, meat can be part of a nutritious and balanced diet while playing a relevant role in feeding the world.Supporting livelihoods. In areas where soil is not suitable for growing crops or marginal land that has no/limited alternative use, cattle is often a main form of income. In this way, cattle contribute to poverty reduction, food security and agricultural development. Carbon sink. Cattle can contribute to soil health and help to sequester carbon in the soil through e.g. nutrient cycling, pasture-management and sustainable and regenerative grazing practicesYes, a transition is needed in terms of feeding the world (more) sustainably and within planetary boundaries. But cattle have a crucial role in a healthy food system and hides will always be there. And in abundance. What do we do? Use it or lose it.FAO ReportThe latest report of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) described the transition to sustainable livestock production. Facts stated in the report:The world population is projected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050. In tandem with this population growth, the demand for milk, meat and eggs is projected to increase by more than 20 percent between 2020 and 2050.Animal-source foods are recognised as some of the best available sources of high-quality, nutrient-rich food, including for women during pregnancy and lactation, children, adolescents and elder people.Over 1 billion animals are herded by pastoralists worldwide. Pastoralists’ work is particularly crucial in areas such as drylands, highlands, wetlands, and shrublands, where the conditions are challenging for crop productionInteresting for you Discover more on Leather Making Leather: Recycling a ByproductA big misconception is that animals are being bred for leather. When it comes to cow leather, that is never the case. The hides that are used to create cow leather are a by product from the meat and dairy industry. Vegan leather, it is mostly a nonsense name. A marketing phrase.In a recent article published in the Volkskrant, one of the leading Dutch quality newspapers, leather is being compared to so called sustainable alternatives. A well-founded commentary to a, often, misleading narrative. A Perfect Model of Circularity: Return To Nature collection by Anya HindmarchFashion game-changer Anya Hindmarch has created a leather bag collection that can decompose back to earth. The bags have been designed to be capable of degrading naturally – from earth, to cow, to bag, to earth and on again in a model of perfect circularity. Leather Discover Stay informedReceive the latest company news and industry updatesSubscribeShare this:
