Oregon Public Broadcasting

Nike announced Wednesday that it will no longer use the leather that comes from farms near the Amazon rainforest.  Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

Greenpeace reported last month that on average, one acre of Amazon rainforest is cleared for ranching every eight seconds.

Greenpeace complained to Nike and other companies about the problem.

Timberline and Reebok, largely ignored the complaints, but Nike created a new policy requiring its suppliers to certify their leather does not come from cattle raised in the Amazon.

Greenpeace spokeswoman, Lindsey Allen.

Lindsey Allen: “Nike was very quick about getting back to us, about pressuring their suppliers, looking into their supply chain and then making one of the strongest commitments that we’ve seen.”

Nike is receiving increasing attention for its efforts to make its shoes sustainable.

Several supermarkets in Brazil and Walmart have also agreed to boycott meat and leather from the Amazon.