TGA members get Olympic update

Turf growers from across the UK gathered at the Processors & Growers Research Organisation's headquarters in November to receive an update on the TGA's activities during 2006.

Mark Glover from Bellenden Public Affairs and organiser of the 'Greening the Games' campaign around the 2012 Olympics, gave the group an update on its progress, saying the association is edging close to achieving its aim of getting its quality standards specified on all Olympic landscaping contracts. He said that Chief Executive Tim Mudge is making a valuable contribution to the steering committee and that the campaign is leading the way in its approach to ensuring that best practice, British suppliers and environmentally friendly products feature heavily in the construction and maintenance of the Olympic venues.

Tim Fell then updated members on the association's contact with DEFRA and with water companies in the south east concerning the summer's drought orders. The TGA's water committee has made progress in its negotiations to obtain an exemption for newly laid turf and is to be consulted by DEFRA when it prepares its amended Water Bill in 2007. He stressed that the drought situation is relevant to all growers, whatever their location, as those who supply to the south east will look to supply further afield if demand for turf in their area diminishes.

Mudge told the group that the association's profile had been raised significantly by its efforts during 2006. "I'm pleased that so many of our members attended the meeting. The TGA council has worked extremely hard to make sure that members have a voice when it comes to important industry matters and it's vital that our members are kept informed every step of the way. But this is just the beginning. We need to keep looking ahead and quickly recognise and react to issues that will have an impact on turf growing."