GMA appoints new bosses

The Horticultural Trade Associations Growing Media Association (GMA) has announced the appointment of two new key figures.

Scotts Miracle Gro general manager Martin Breddy and Bulrush boss James Hayes will take over the roles of chairman and vice chairman respectively.

The appointments come at a challenging time for GMA, with a government target of a 90 per cent peat-reduction by 2010 set to come under scrutiny from the media and authorities within the next nine months.

Mr Breddy explained that the industry will not reach the "unrealistic" target, but that it has made significant progress towards it.

"My task will be to demonstrate to the media, government and environmental groups how seriously manufacturers have tackled the issue," he said.

The new chairman replaces the outgoing Catherine Dawson, who managed to reach an agreement on a new environmental policy during her time in charge.

In other gardening news, Top Gear presenter James May is set to create a display for this years Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.