Fact Check: "About 900 families produce rubber for a French shoe company, Veja."
What We Know
The claim that "about 900 families produce rubber for a French shoe company, Veja," is supported by multiple sources. According to a report by the Associated Press, the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve, which is home to around 4,000 families, includes approximately 900 families that are involved in rubber production for Veja (source-1). This project has been described as successful, although it does not meet the full production potential due to limited demand (source-2).
Additionally, Veja's operations are noted to involve around 1,200 families from various cooperatives across five Amazonian states, including Acre, where the Chico Mendes Reserve is located (source-3). This indicates that while the number of families directly producing rubber for Veja in the Chico Mendes Reserve is about 900, the broader network of rubber producers associated with Veja is larger.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim comes from credible news sources, including the Associated Press and The Washington Post, both of which are recognized for their journalistic standards. The information is consistent across multiple reports, reinforcing the reliability of the claim.
The context provided in these articles highlights the socio-economic dynamics within the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve, where rubber tapping is one of the traditional livelihoods. The reports also emphasize the challenges faced by these families, including competition from cattle ranching, which has become more lucrative over time (source-1).
While there is a slight discrepancy in the total number of families mentioned—900 in the context of the reserve and 1,200 across all cooperatives—this does not detract from the accuracy of the claim regarding the specific number of families in the Chico Mendes Reserve. The sources are reliable and provide a clear picture of the situation, making the claim credible.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "about 900 families produce rubber for a French shoe company, Veja," is accurate based on multiple credible sources. The number aligns with reported statistics from reputable news outlets, and the context surrounding the claim supports its validity. The slight variation in total family numbers across different reports does not undermine the specific claim regarding the Chico Mendes Reserve.
Sources
- Removal of illegal cattle from reserve in Brazil's Amazon sparks ... AP News
- Removal of hundreds of illegal cattle in the Amazon sparks ... Washington Post
- Fashion sneakers propel sustainable rubber in Brazil Amazon AP News
