Robert Sturdy

Conservative MEP Robert Sturdy visited two major companies in Norwich yesterday which are both at the forefront of technology for their different industries – Lotus and BayerCrop Science.

At Lotus, Mr Sturdy was joined by campaigner John Flack. They were both impressed by the company’s innovation and development of low carbon green technology and how it has met the challenges of EU legislation regarding reduced carbon emissions.

They were given a tour of the site, and afterwards Mr Sturdy was effusive in his praise:

“Norfolk can be very proud of this company. I feel really privileged to have had had the opportunity to meet its designers and the people on the shop floor. They are world leaders as their innovative technology is being followed by the motor industry around the world. This company is a great success story. I was also blown away by how proud the workforce is to work here because that is so vital for any organisation’s success.”

Mr Flack said: “They are so clearly very proud of what they produce at Lotus, and it is something we should all feel proud of too. They are leading the way, not only with their iconic sports cars, but also with their cutting edge engineering high technology which is being used in cars manufactured around the world. This business really should be held up as an excellent model for others in the region to follow.”

Mr Sturdy, who sits on the Environment and Agricultural Committees, also visited Bayer CropScience which develops chemicals used by the agricultural industry. One of the topics discussed was the new EU restrictions on pesticides.

Mr Sturdy said: “I was interested to see that they are still producing the same products used on sugar beet for the last 30 years, a crop which is very important in East Anglia. I was very pleased to visit and support local agriculture and local products.”