// VF Corp said it will no longer use Brazilian leather as Amazon wildfires continue
// The wildfires have been ravaging through the world’s largest rainforest for weeks
// The initiative has raised concerns as to how other retailers and leaders are contributing to the disaster
The parent company of Vans, Timberland and North Face has pledged to no longer purchase Brazilian leather as the Amazon rainforest continues to burn.
VF Corp said it would stop the use of Brazilian leather until it has “the confidence and assurance that the materials used in products do not contribute to environmental harm”.
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Wildfires have been ravaging through the world’s largest rainforest for weeks and it has raised concerns as to how other retailers and their leaders are contributing to the disaster.
The move was one of the first signs of an economic impact from the controversy over the fires, which Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said was under control.
“As a result of … detailed diligence, we are no longer able to satisfactorily assure ourselves that our de minimis volume of leather purchased from Brazilian suppliers upholds this (responsible sourcing) commitment,” VF Corp said in a statement.
Meanwhile, luxury retail conglomerate LVMH, which owns Louis Vuitton, announced its initiative to provide financial aid to help fight the Amazon wildfires on Tuesday.
Chief executive and chairman Bernard Arnault, along with member of LVMH’s board of directors Yann Arthus-Bertrand, pledged to contribute €10 million (£9 million) as part of the aid.
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