The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has recorded 429,600 premises registered nationwide as part of the National Animal Identification System, with substantial increases this year in the number of premises registered.

A brand new ‘Survey in China Leather Industry 2006/7’ is out now. The past two years have been tough and challenging for the Chinese leather industry. Though it is still growing (9% increase in production in 2006), the ‘leather giant’ is actually weakening. To find out more about this intriguing and fast changing industry, and acquire a copy, contact:pailingbasford@btinternet.com

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed the diagnosis of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a 13-year-old beef cow from Alberta, stating that the agency has the animal's carcase under its control and no part of it entered the human food or animal feed systems. The latest discovery marks the 11th case of BSE in Canada since its first in a native-born animal in May 2003, which prompted many export markets to ban Canadian beef.

Bosnia’s Serb Republic is scheduled to sell the state-owned stake of 30.07% in the Jadranka Banja Luka leather products manufacturer on the Banja Luka Stock Exchange on December 21, according to SeeNews. The sale will be managed by the Investment and Development Bank.

Croatia’s Central Bureau of Statistics reports that leather and leather products manufacturers in Croatia consumed raw materials worth US$91 million in 2006, of which materials worth US$421,342 were produced by the companies themselves. The remaining materials were purchased from other companies.

Spain’s National Statistics Institute reports that the producer price of leather and leather products in Spain in October was unchanged as compared with September and 1.2% higher than in October 2006. In comparison, the monthly and annual increases in the industrial producer price index in Spain in October were 0.9% and 4.7% respectively.

Turkey’s State Statistics Institute reports that Turkey exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$100 million in the first ten months of this year, compared with US$84 million in the same period in 2006.

Israel’s Central Statistics Bureau reports that Israel imported leather and leather products worth US$107 million in the first ten months of this year, compared with US$84 million in the same period last year. Israeli exports of the same types of commodities in the January to October period were worth US$16.0 million, as against US$15.5 million in the corresponding period in 2006.

Ukraine’s State Statistics Committee reports that Ukraine exported leather and leather products worth US$316 million in the first ten months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 37%. Ukrainian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to October period were 16% higher year-on-year at US$125 million.

Slovenia’s Statistics Office reports that the number of cattle slaughtered in Slovenia in October was 29.9% higher than in September and 0.2% lower than in October 2006.

Statistics South Africa reports that leather and leather products manufacturers in South Africa recorded total sales worth US$453 million in the first eight months of 2007, compared with US$417 million in the same period in 2006.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Federal Office of Statistics reports that the production of leather and leather products in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first eleven months of this year was 9.9% higher than in the same period in 2006.

Ukraine’s State Statistics Committee reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ukraine in the first eleven months of this year was 2.4% higher than in the same period in 2006.

Hungary’s Central Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Hungary in the first ten months of this year was 49.5% higher than in the same period in 2006.

Slovakia’s Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Slovakia continued to decline year-on-year in the first ten months of this year.

BASF have opened a new plant in Mangalore, southern India, which will manufacture Eukesolar dyes for the leather tanning industry. The facility will provide customers in the growing Asian market as well as the tanning industry in other regions with a reliable supply of high-quality chemicals.