The BPF takes its plastics message to Brussels

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) took its message – that the UK plastics industry was a critical and strategically vital part of the domestic economy – to the heart of Europe last week.

The BPF's Philip Watkins (left) and MEP Malcolm Harbour, met in Brussels to talk plastics

BPF president Philip Watkins, together with the trade body’s director-general Peter Davis and public and industrial affairs director Philip Law met with Malcolm Harbour, a UK member of the European Parliament and chairman of its Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee.

The focus of the get-together was to discuss the BPF’s initiative “to clearly demonstrate that the plastics industry is a critical and strategic sector, bringing innovation to the UK manufacturing economy”, the group said in a statement.

A day after unveiling the BPF's activities to mark its 80th anniversary Watkins said: “We had a very positive discussion with Malcolm and appreciate his offer of assistance in emphasising to the European Union Commission, the importance of the plastics industry in delivering growth, jobs and employment and sustainability, not just in the UK but throughout the EU”.

The BPF said the MEP was “familiar” with the group, while Harbour said the image of plastics was “generally very good in the Commission and Parliament”.

Harbour, who has familiarised himself with plastics firms in his West Midlands constituency, had offered to introduce the BPF to key Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry officials working on sectoral strategies, the BPF said.

[ Back ]