UK MPS take educational visit to BASF HQ in Germany

Posted By : Anna Flockett
UK MPS take educational visit to BASF HQ in Germany

Cross-party delegations of UK parliamentarians were sent on an educational visit to BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany, by the Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT), from 21st-22nd July. The site at Ludwigshafen is one of the biggest industrial sites in Europe, stretching over 10km2 and employing almost 38,000 people.

Over the course of the two day visit, the delegation of 16 parliamentarians saw a wide range of BASF’s operations in action, which included a full site visit and a tour of their new research and laboratory facilities. They also had the opportunity to meet with senior staff representatives discussing policy issues relevant in both the UK and Germany such as energy, innovation and apprenticeships.

With the recent EU referendum and Brexit being high on the political agenda, the group also used the visit as an opportunity to examine the German perspective on the UK’s vote to leave, and how the UK might move forward.

The delegation included representatives from all the main political parties and both Houses. This included MP for Cheadle Mary Robinson, where the sales centre for BASF is located in the UK, Shadow Minister for Small Business Bill Esterson MP and SNP Westminster Group Leader for Transport, Drew Hendry MP.

Commenting on the visit Angela Smith MP, former Shadow Minister for the Environment, said she thoroughly enjoyed her visit to the BASF site in Ludwigshafen. “It was fascinating to see at first hand the vast 10km2 chemical complex, of which there is nothing similar in the UK. It was an important opportunity to hear from senior staff with expertise in a number of relevant policy areas.  I would like to express my thanks to both BASF and the IPT for coordinating this visit.”

Richard John Carter, Managing Director, BASF UK and Ireland, commented that Germany has been, and is a success story for European manufacturing. As the UK is now looking to develop a new relationship with Europe and its industry, this was a good opportunity to learn from our colleagues in Germany and for both sides to hear different perspectives.

Carter added: “A good example is thesuccessful German apprenticeship system versus the UK’s flawed levy concept. We are a keen supporter of the IPT and look forward to repeating the visit and strengthening our ties at a time when close collaboration is needed to shape the future UK-German relationship.”

.Nick Maher, Chief Executive, Industry and Parliament Trust:“Visits such as this provide a unique experience for parliamentarians to learn first-hand from industry, helping them to better understand the needs of business.” He added they are grateful to BASF for hosting the group and hope that their experience will impact positively upon Members’ work in Parliament.


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