Euroleather

Geneva, November 13, 2024 – The leather industry participated at the UNECE high-level Deforestation-Free Trade Dialogue held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The event brought together representatives from industries impacted by the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), providing a vital platform for dialogue and best practices sharing.

 

The leather industry, represented by ICT, COTANCE, UNIC, and ICEC, made a compelling case for the exclusion of leather from the EUDR. The argument was supported by a groundbreaking study from the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (University of Pisa), commissioned by UNIC and COTANCE, which scientifically proves that the demand for leather does not drive livestock breeding or slaughter, hence does not drive deforestation [Link to the study]

 

 

COTANCE Secretary-General Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano emphasized "The inclusion of leather in the scope of the EUDR was not examined in the Commission's impact assessment that discussed the relevance of commodities and derived products. This is why we had to do this ourselves. We asked the Sant'Anna institute to review the scientific literature and clarify whether leather deserves to be stigmatised as a driver of deforestation or not. Peer reviewed papers overwhelmingly say that it is not!" 

 

While the European Parliament voted on November 14 that the EUDR is postponed, it is still to be seen whether this can be effectively enacted before the end of the year. So, there is still a risk that the global trade in hides, skins and leather collapses. The UNECE Trade Dialogue has been invaluable in gaining global attention for the critical and singular case of leather.