A new variety of British beef tomato is being sold exclusively through Waitrose. Jack Hawkins, which retails at £2.79/kg, grows to between 65mm and 85mm and ranges in colour from light orange to red. A spokesman for the Tomato Growers' Association said that trials found it to be high in lycopene, a beneficial antioxidant. Meanwhile, Conservative MP Michael Jack, a previous agriculture minister, has attacked the government's limited concession over the climate change levy. He said growers experienced some of the worst prices ever last year and until the exchange rate between sterling and the Euro was more balanced the industry would continue to struggle. Smaller producers did not have the financial muscle to meet the payments, he added, giving the example of Flavourfresh in his own Fylde Coast constituency. It would have to find an extra £53,000 over its current £363,000 annual heating bill. {{FRESH PRODUCE }}

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