WWF pushes for ‘Deforestation and Conversion Free’ leather
Campaign group the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has announced that it is working with a grant from the Tapestry Foundation to devise a new traceability system for Brazilian hides.
Its aim is to develop a system that can pinpoint the geographic origin of an animal and ascertain whether or not it comes from an illegally deforested area. Its intention is to develop labelling that confirms hides are ‘Deforestation and Conversion Free (DCF)’.
WWF’s senior director for beef and leather supply chains, Fernando Bellese, said: “We are at the initial stages of this effort.”
Mr Bellese, who formerly worked for leather manufacturing groups JBS Couros and Prime Asia, added: “It’s one thing for the large tanneries to participate in pilot programmes. Our goal is to develop solutions to help other players in the downstream supply chain, including smaller tanneries, to participate in the discussion. That will only happen if we can develop a credible verification system that is trusted by consumers, retailers, brands and other downstream buyers of leather to apply additional pressure for the production of DCF leather.”
