This was preceded with a Greenpeace report alleging that cattle hides from deforested areas are contaminating the supply chains of a number of global brands such as: Nike, Clarks, Adidas and Reebok. Deforestation due to cattle ranching in the Brazilian region is alone considered to be the largest drive for deforestation worldwide. A Nike spokesman confirmed the move late last night at their headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

This step has been vastly supported by green activists who have called it a bold step and have urged other brands to adopt similar stands.

The document signed requires all Nike suppliers ‘to certify that they are supplying leather for Nike Inc with products from cattle raised outside the Amazon biome. This policy remains in effect until Nike feels that a reliable system of governance, with full traceability of cattle products which includes the guarantee that those products are not causing deforestation is in place in the Amazon.

Suppliers have until July 2010 to create a fully traceable supply system, which will provide reliable proof that any leather used for Nike shoes has not been sourced from recently deforested areas.

Source: http://www.leathermag.com/

October 28^th, 2009