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Sustainable
eNews |
July 2002 |
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IWMC
World Conservation Trust |
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Viva L'Adidas! A Corporation that supports Conservation
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IWMC
supports any use of wild natural resources that meets certain
vitally important criteria; the use must be sustainable. That means that
use patterns must not exceed the ability of the resource to reproduce
itself in its environment. The use must not result in imbalance of species
in the environment. This means that removal of the resource species must
contribute to health of the overall environment, by maintaining essential
biodiversity. The use of the resource should benefit the human inhabitants
of the environment, and should not deprive them of benefit from that
resource extraction. The killing of wildlife should be as efficient and
humane as possible.
Some harvests, or hunts, of animal resources meet all of these criteria,
and thus should be supported by conservationists everywhere. The use by
Australians of kangaroo species for meat and leather is a shining example
of the above criteria for ethical, sustainable use of wild resources. There
are some 60 million kangaroos in Australia, and scientists are sure that
the number removed each year - some 5 million animals - is sustainable,
ethical and safe. The number of animals removed helps the environment by
preventing over-grazing.
Granted, Australians have imported and bred millions of sheep, a
non-native animal that competes with the native kangaroo species for
grazing space. Hundreds of thousands of Australians now are employed one
way or another as a result of the sheep industry. It is in Australia to
stay. The kangaroos are abundant, the number taken is not in excess of
their ability to reproduce themselves, and the meat and hide industry also
employ many thousands of Australians. Kangaroo hides are extremely strong
and supple, compared to other leathers, and are ideally suited for use in
soccer boots. Three major corporations make their soccer boots from
kangaroo leather. They are Adidas, Umbro International Ltd., and Lotto
Sport Italia Spa.
Now for the rest of the story. Great Britain is home to a radical
vegan/vegetarian organization by the name of Vegetarians International
Voice for Animals, or VIVA! The group has targeted the kangaroo industry on
its website, with the usual claims of cruelty that have been used in other
instances, such as those protesting harp seal and elephant use. The
kangaroo industry refutes the claims, and points out that without a
substantial hunt, the Australian environment, their agricultural industry,
and their people would all be adversely impacted. The VIVA website calls on
people to contact Adidas in order to complain about their use of kangaroo
leather.
Conservationists who know the whole story now ask that as many people as
possible contact the three corporations that use kangaroo leather for
soccer boots, and congratulate them on that use, emphasize that they
support the use of kangaroo leather because it contributes to the health of
rural Australia in general, and because the leather is a worthwhile
product. Unfortunately, Adidas has received some 10,000 e-mails from rabid
vegans, and the company is concerned about its corporate image. IWMC urges
all who read here, to reassure Adidas, Umbro and Lotto, and to voice
support for their use of kangaroo leather.
This site should dispel any doubts about the practice. It is worthwhile
to note that the vegan organization objects to all use of animal products,
and is apparently targeting the kangaroo leather industry in order to tweak
some heartstrings of those who are naïve enough to be listening to them in
the first place. IWMC's opinion is that leather products are always more
environmentally friendly than are any plastics or other synthetics, and
leather is always superior as footwear for reasons of durability and
comfort. This is why we say, with tongue in cheek, "Viva
L'Adidas". Carry on. 
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