So successful was last year’s Chemicals Conference to examine how proposed EU legislation will affect the future of the region’s chemical industry that a follow-up Conference was recently held in Scunthorpe. Once again it was jointly organized by North Lincolnshire Council, Yorkshire Forward, and the Humber Chemical Focus Group. I was Chairman for the day and key speakers included Alun Michael, Minister for the Environment, a European Commission representative, the Chemical Industries Association, CBI, Stella Guy, Regional Secretary of the TGWU, Friends of the Earth and other leading chemical companies. The Commission’s proposals will undoubtedly have an impact on every aspect of how chemicals are produced, used and tested, as well as how they affect our environment.
Chemicals are a significant issue for the Yorkshire & Humber region as the industry is one of our most important industrial sectors. By providing an opportunity for honest and open debate we can ensure, at the end of a lengthy consultation process, we will have legislation which strikes the right balance between protecting the environment and public health, whilst at the same time enabling the industry to invest and innovate.
The success of both Conferences has been reflected in the range of interests of those attending.
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