Tesco responds to Greenpeace claims
UK-based supermarket Tesco has responded to claims by campaigning group Greenpeace (see leatherbiz blog 20.06.09) in an open letter to The Guardian.
The letter, from the company's corporate and legal affairs director, Lucy Neville-Rolfe, defends the chain's sourcing of cattle products from the region, including beef and leathergoods, as being entirely legitimate. It also states that the firm does not condone illegal deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.
"We have made it clear to our suppliers that the use of beef from illegally deforested regions is unacceptable and we are working with them to ensure that no illegal beef is used in our products,” the letter says, adding. It goes on to say: “We have also sought and received assurances from both companies that the beef products they supply to Tesco from the Sao Paolo region have not been made using cattle from the Amazon. Leather is sold on the open commodities market and is more of a challenge, but we are working to see what progress can be made.”
Ms Neville-Rolfe writes: “We recognise the importance of the Amazon for the crucial role rainforests play in addressing climate change and are full members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil as well as signatories to the Moratorium on soy from the Amazon biome.” The letter adds: “More generally, we welcome the moves by the Brazilian Government to enforce local laws and protect ecosystems that are vital to the future of our planet."
