BMW and others buying leather causing rapid destruction of forest, home to isolated tribe and rare wildlife, research finds
The IndependentSign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Recommended UK supermarkets are selling beef from firm linked to illegal destruction of Amazon rainforest The report, called Grand Theft Chaco, says cattle ranchers in the Chaco region illegally cleared land inhabited by the Ayoreo Totobiegosode tribe, the only indigenous people living in voluntary isolation anywhere in the Americas outside the Amazon. Executives at one of Paraguay’s biggest tanneries, which sources cattle from illicitly cleared forest, told the researchers their leather is used by Jaguar Land Rover, including for its Range Rover Evoque series. Sam Lawson, director at Earthsight, said: “No car owner is going to feel comfortable in their plush leather seat knowing that the last forest refuge of an uncontacted tribe was illegally cleared to make it.” Earthsight says EU and UK leaders should force companies to ensure supply chains do not involve such damaging practices. “All Paraguayan companies selling hide to the leather supplier are members of the Paraguayan round table of sustainable beef and are committed to upholding the best environmental practices, as well as respecting Paraguay’s strict legislation to protect its natural resources.” A BMW spokeswoman said the company planned to drop raw leather goods from South America in the medium term, adding: “The tanneries used by our supplier in Paraguay have either been certified as gold-rated by the leather working group or have been secured by the Paraguayan ministry of industry and trade in terms of environmental and social standards, resource efficiency and material traceability.