The gentleman makes his points well (Leather International, August) and I am sure he is more experienced than me in many aspects of this trade. My letter was not meant to imply anything negative about his reports which are a good and acurate picture of movements on both sides of the water.
However, the data is read by many both inside and outside our trade and therefore should be as precise as possible although this is not easy – I realise that many can sell at higher prices than me and many can buy at cheaper levels then me. This is why I prefer trend based figures – ie percentage movements rather than actual prices.
As to any naïvety in my suggestion that they may somehow affect abbatoir dealings, I can only say that when I used to quote prices in a weekly report, I had regular complaints either from markets who were being pushed for higher prices on the back of my quoted levels or from abattoirs claiming that my prices were being used to keep prices down. Whilst neither of us may ultimately make the market, what we may publish is read by many.
My main complaint has been addressed – we are now seeing a very good report (as it always was) with prices clearly stated as being Irish.
Mark Ziprin
Richmond Hides Ltd
