The poor quality of raw hide available in Sri Lanka has resulted in Rs 700 million losses a year to the country and leather industry.

This was revealed at a workshop on Hide Quality Improvement held in Colombo recently.

The report of a Task Force that suggested remedies to rectify the situation was also discussed in detail

The workshop observed that a major problem encountered by the tanning industry is the poor quality of rawhide available in Sri Lanka.

"The quantities appear to be satisfactory while no efforts have been made to improve quality. This results in a considerable loss of approximately Rs. 700 mn a year to the country and the industry."

The Task Force said that all previous studies on the leather industry without exception identify the need to address this problem," if the industry in Sri Lanka is to develop. The major defects identified leading to poor rawhide quality are as follows:

• Unrestricted branding of the animal (existing laws in this regard are ignored or not enforced).

•Improper flaying of the hides.

• Improper handling of the carcass during pre— slaughter and post—slaughter stages.

• Lack of proper tick control causing damage in the hides.

• Inadequate preservations after hide removal.

• Problems encountered in hide transportation with law enforcement authorities.

• A lack of a proper abattoir system in the country.

The workshop was an attempt to implement the initial recommendation of the task force report, mostly concerning the first stages of hide production.

" This calls for dialogue and interactions among stakeholders " the Task Force added..