PANEL SESSION:
UK Government - for a successful and sustainable chemicals sector
Time & Location
Wednesday: 12.00 to 13.00, Stage 1
Guest Panellist: Melanie FosterHead of Chemicals Strategy, Policy and Trade, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
About this Session
The chemicals sector is crucial to the UK. The UK Government works closely with the Devolved Administrations, chemical businesses, trade associations and NGOs right across the UK on areas including regulation, trade, energy and net zero to help to create sustainable growth and a thriving sector. The presentations by each department will aim to explain current and future areas of attention, and how best to engage with the respective departments on these important topics.
Panellist bio:
Melanie Foster heads up the Chemicals Strategy, Policy and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Team in DEFRA, leading work to develop a UK Chemicals Strategy and driving action on chemicals policy, including work on priority chemicals issues – for example, the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS and chemical mixtures – and implementation of the UN Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Melanie has 15 years’ experience of working in Government and has held several policy roles since joining the civil service. Melanie joined the Chemicals team in Defra at the start of 2021. Prior to joining the Chemicals team Melanie worked on Resources and Waste policy. Her previous experience also includes working on climate change and forestry, international chemicals, better regulation and as a Private Secretary to a Defra Minister