The LWG supports hide traceability systems in Brazil (leather international mag.)

Brazil
Published: 28 April, 2010

The Leather Working Group (LWG) has been working closely with Greenpeace and other NGO’s in support of their campaign to eliminate deforestation in Brazil caused by cattle ranching. The LWG recognises the importance of leather as a co-product of the meat industry and as a consequence has now included a section on hide traceability within its latest environmental stewardship document due to be launched later this year.

As many of the brands within the LWG, the adidas-group, Clarks International Ltd, New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc, Nike Inc, Puma, The Timberland Company, work with suppliers (i.e. leather tanneries) that are assessed using the LWG environmental stewardship protocol this will ultimately ensure that the origin of the materials within their supply chain is known and traceable back to the meat packing plant where the hides originated. A number of the LWG member brands have shown early and active support of Greenpeace’s “Commit or Cancel” policy, which states that purchasing contracts will be cancelled if suppliers of leather products cannot meet the stated sourcing requirements.

To ensure that the Leather Working Group traceability system is effective beyond the meat packing plant it is essential that the major packers JBS S.A., Marfrig Alimentos S.A., and Minerva S.A. obtain confirmation that all direct suppliers have registered their farms using geographically-referenced polygons by the extended deadline of November 13, 2010. By July 5, 2010, as an interim step, the meat packing companies must obtain confirmation that all direct suppliers have registered their farms using at least one geographically-referenced point. The LWG brands urge immediate and positive action to get this task done as an urgent priority.

Acknowledging the important role of the Brazilian government in protecting the Amazon rainforest, members of the LWG encourage governmental and local authorities in Brazil to continue in their efforts to provide clear legal guidance and an effective enforcement process.

Greenpeace support LWG action
Brazil
Published: 28 April, 2010

Major retail brands such as Adidas, Clarks, Nike and Timberland issued on April 27 a last-chance message to leather suppliers – they will drop any supplier using farms not registered by the Brazilian Government by July. The registration of cattle farms is a vital first step to protect the Amazon from further deforestation.

Members of the Leather Working Group issued a statement on April 27 in support of Greenpeace’s campaign to eliminate deforestation in Brazil caused by cattle ranching.
Sarah Shoraka, Greenpeace’s Amazon campaigner, said: ‘It’s clear that top names like Nike, Clarks and Timberland remain committed to making sure that the leather in their shoes hasn’t come from areas of the Amazon rainforest that have been trashed. If their suppliers don’t pull their finger out, then these top shoe companies are going to drop them. And that will really send a signal to the Brazilian cattle industry that it needs to clean up its act.’