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British Tomato Conference 2023, Warwickshire, UK

This is not a chronological recap of the event - as this happened during the evening - but Julie Woolley is about to retire. She has led, guided, supported, taken care of and mothered the British Tomato Growers' Association for more than 20 years.
This is not a chronological recap of the event - as this happened during the evening - but Julie Woolley is about to retire. She has led, guided, supported, taken care of and mothered the British Tomato Growers' Association for more than 20 years.
So speeches, videos and a toast were proposed to her during the dinner that concluded the event. Cheers Julie!
So speeches, videos and a toast were proposed to her during the dinner that concluded the event. Cheers Julie!
But let's get back to the British Tomato Conference itself first! Paul Falkner was the morning chairman of the annual event. "If the past four years have taught us anything, it is the importance of fostering collaboration throughout the entire supply chain," he spoke.
But let's get back to the British Tomato Conference itself first! Paul Falkner was the morning chairman of the annual event. "If the past four years have taught us anything, it is the importance of fostering collaboration throughout the entire supply chain," he spoke.
Over 200 visitors participated in the day
Over 200 visitors participated in the day
Joe Beard, representing Rijk Zwaan, provided a comprehensive overview of the emergence of the Rugose virus
Joe Beard, representing Rijk Zwaan, provided a comprehensive overview of the emergence of the Rugose virus
Paul Simmonds, Joe's colleague, delved into the global implications of these resistances
Paul Simmonds, Joe's colleague, delved into the global implications of these resistances
Joseph Shaw-Roberts, Kantar, provided a market update and shared what trends to look into
Joseph Shaw-Roberts, Kantar, provided a market update and shared what trends to look into
Abi Clayton & Nyree Ambarchian with Jack & Grace Communications used a t-shirt as an example on the importance of branding
Abi Clayton & Nyree Ambarchian with Jack & Grace Communications used a t-shirt as an example on the importance of branding
The company takes care of the British Fortnight communication an shared the results of the media campaign. “In this room we’re all very good at saying how British tomatoes are – but no matter how good we are at saying it, it won’t mean as much as when other people say it. Foodies, journalists, chefs, will make all the difference. We’re trying to let people, shaping the opinions of others, say how amazing British Tomatoes are”, Abi Clayton and Nyree Ambarchian with Jack & Grace explained.
The company takes care of the British Fortnight communication an shared the results of the media campaign. “In this room we’re all very good at saying how British tomatoes are – but no matter how good we are at saying it, it won’t mean as much as when other people say it. Foodies, journalists, chefs, will make all the difference. We’re trying to let people, shaping the opinions of others, say how amazing British Tomatoes are”, Abi Clayton and Nyree Ambarchian with Jack & Grace explained.
Jon Swain, NFU Energy, provided an extensive outlook on the energy market and carbon budgets. It's one of the busiest times ever in his time as a consultant, as Energy is the topic after the virus
Jon Swain, NFU Energy, provided an extensive outlook on the energy market and carbon budgets. It's one of the busiest times ever in his time as a consultant, as Energy is the topic after the virus
Energy is one of the most important challenges for growers to deal with at the moment. Many British growers already work with leftover heat or CO2 from other parties.
Energy is one of the most important challenges for growers to deal with at the moment. Many British growers already work with leftover heat or CO2 from other parties.
Martin Emmett, Chair of the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board
Martin Emmett, Chair of the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board
Paul Falkner updated on the British Tomato Growers Association
Paul Falkner updated on the British Tomato Growers Association
Phil Pearson, aka the host of the second part of the day
Phil Pearson, aka the host of the second part of the day
Noel O’Leary and Matt Ware with CambridgeHOK
Noel O’Leary and Matt Ware with CambridgeHOK
Steve Williams with Aromany, providing solutions for a clean greenhouse & crop
Steve Williams with Aromany, providing solutions for a clean greenhouse & crop
The team with Agrovista Glasshouse and several of their providers, including Roam Technology and Tomsystem
The team with Agrovista Glasshouse and several of their providers, including Roam Technology and Tomsystem
Emilie Morilleau with Botanicoir
Emilie Morilleau with Botanicoir
Matthew Grantham & Joost van Rooij  with Heliospectra
Matthew Grantham & Joost van Rooij with Heliospectra
Leon Strik en Bart Bakker with Svensson
Leon Strik en Bart Bakker with Svensson
Peter Grisdale, Michelle Thornton, Craig Dickinson with Flavourfresh
Peter Grisdale, Michelle Thornton, Craig Dickinson with Flavourfresh
Mike Vermeij & Martin van Zeijl with Bom Group are present.
Mike Vermeij & Martin van Zeijl with Bom Group are present.
Teun Boomaerts, Kris Goen & Mark Versluis - Syngenta
Teun Boomaerts, Kris Goen & Mark Versluis - Syngenta
Will Dale & Dave Pinxteren with Hortipray, showing the Prayon solutions
Will Dale & Dave Pinxteren with Hortipray, showing the Prayon solutions
Piers Byrne, Kent Fruit Services & Sander Reukers with Greefa
Piers Byrne, Kent Fruit Services & Sander Reukers with Greefa
Hana Edwards & Terri-Ann Boyle with IWS UK
Hana Edwards & Terri-Ann Boyle with IWS UK
Kurtess Turvey with Mydis Security, providing security solutions to the agricultural sector
Kurtess Turvey with Mydis Security, providing security solutions to the agricultural sector
Tom DeCamp with Yara
Tom DeCamp with Yara
Jeroen de Kuijer, Jim Coley and Nikki Hargreaves with Brinkman UK. Recently the Celine was launched, and also biocontrol remains of high importance to growers
Jeroen de Kuijer, Jim Coley and Nikki Hargreaves with Brinkman UK. Recently the Celine was launched, and also biocontrol remains of high importance to growers
Paul Tate, Jack Haslam and Lori-Leah  Griffiths with Fargro, a distributor of biological pesticide products and drone applications
Paul Tate, Jack Haslam and Lori-Leah Griffiths with Fargro, a distributor of biological pesticide products and drone applications
Caroline Reid and Guy Johnson with Bioline Agrosciences show the allround biological solutions for UK Greenhouse Growers
Caroline Reid and Guy Johnson with Bioline Agrosciences show the allround biological solutions for UK Greenhouse Growers
David Summerfield, Bridge Greenhouses, and Don Kester, Certhon
David Summerfield, Bridge Greenhouses, and Don Kester, Certhon
Andy Roe with Flavourfesh and Rick Holt  - R&L Holt - decades of tomato growing knowledge united in this photo.
Andy Roe with Flavourfesh and Rick Holt - R&L Holt - decades of tomato growing knowledge united in this photo.
Nick Field, Ian Metcalfe and Ronaldt Thoen with CMW Horticulture
Nick Field, Ian Metcalfe and Ronaldt Thoen with CMW Horticulture
Nicolas Quenard and Eric Baneron with Gautier
Nicolas Quenard and Eric Baneron with Gautier
Helen Corcoran with EVG and Ruth Badger with R&L Holt
Helen Corcoran with EVG and Ruth Badger with R&L Holt
Ben Ableehite with Now Then Energy, Alex Durnford and Kieran Durnford with Red Roofs Nursery, Richard Bowes, Rural Payments Agency, and Tim Pratt with Now Then Energy
Ben Ableehite with Now Then Energy, Alex Durnford and Kieran Durnford with Red Roofs Nursery, Richard Bowes, Rural Payments Agency, and Tim Pratt with Now Then Energy
Rob James with Thanet and Jon Swain with NFU Energy
Rob James with Thanet and Jon Swain with NFU Energy
Leanna Bolton with International Water Solutions, Stuart Renders, Koppert, Kurtess Turvey, MYDIS, and David MacDonald with Koppert
Leanna Bolton with International Water Solutions, Stuart Renders, Koppert, Kurtess Turvey, MYDIS, and David MacDonald with Koppert
Gemma Bates and Julia Parry with Harmoniz Seeds
Gemma Bates and Julia Parry with Harmoniz Seeds
Alex van Os is taking care of the UK and Irish market for Grodan
Alex van Os is taking care of the UK and Irish market for Grodan
Angus Walker with Thanet Earth and Laura Pearson with The Greenhouse Sussex
Angus Walker with Thanet Earth and Laura Pearson with The Greenhouse Sussex
Duncan Toms and William Pitts with the Greenhouse Sussex and John Overvoorde with Delfland
Duncan Toms and William Pitts with the Greenhouse Sussex and John Overvoorde with Delfland
Catherine Eyre Adas and Matthew Everett with Defra
Catherine Eyre Adas and Matthew Everett with Defra
Todd Moxey and Fouad Badda with Glinwell Produce, and Alex van Os with Grodan
Todd Moxey and Fouad Badda with Glinwell Produce, and Alex van Os with Grodan
Danni Bunnell and Madin Dragensescu with Paragon Needs
Danni Bunnell and Madin Dragensescu with Paragon Needs
Thomas Nagl and Michael Clipshen with Noxcon
Thomas Nagl and Michael Clipshen with Noxcon
Jo McTigue, Crop Protection Scientist at Horticulture Crop Protection, provided insights on residue studies and the status of research in the UK
Jo McTigue, Crop Protection Scientist at Horticulture Crop Protection, provided insights on residue studies and the status of research in the UK
Martijn van Stee with Enza Zaden spoke about the development of HREZ and the HREZ varieties
Martijn van Stee with Enza Zaden spoke about the development of HREZ and the HREZ varieties
Adrian Fox with Fera Science explains how the team tried to protect the growers's yields in regards to rugose.
Adrian Fox with Fera Science explains how the team tried to protect the growers's yields in regards to rugose.
Matthew Everatt, Defra, provided insights on the rules regarding import and quarantaine crops
Matthew Everatt, Defra, provided insights on the rules regarding import and quarantaine crops
Nick Arnst, La Serra, shared his story on how (not) to deal with Rugose. The company finally got rid of the infection last year and Nicks story provided great insights to other growers.
Nick Arnst, La Serra, shared his story on how (not) to deal with Rugose. The company finally got rid of the infection last year and Nicks story provided great insights to other growers.
Clive Marlow with Clive Marlow Marketing
Clive Marlow with Clive Marlow Marketing
James Normoyle and Jon Swain, NFU Energy
James Normoyle and Jon Swain, NFU Energy
Phil Pearson, Julie Woolley and Nathalie Key of the British Tomato Growers' Association
Phil Pearson, Julie Woolley and Nathalie Key of the British Tomato Growers' Association
Nathanael Dannenberg with Signify UK
Nathanael Dannenberg with Signify UK
Kathryn Wright and Peter Agrisdale with FlavourFresh
Kathryn Wright and Peter Agrisdale with FlavourFresh
Erwin de Kok, Nazir Achmed and Harm Ammerlaan with Nunhems/BASF
Erwin de Kok, Nazir Achmed and Harm Ammerlaan with Nunhems/BASF
A part of the team with Enza Zaden
A part of the team with Enza Zaden
Also the Rijk Zwaan team shared information on their resistant varieties
Also the Rijk Zwaan team shared information on their resistant varieties
The evening started with a talk of Lee Abbey, Chief Horticulture with NFU.
The evening started with a talk of Lee Abbey, Chief Horticulture with NFU.
And then it was time for dinner!
And then it was time for dinner!
Throwback to more than 20 years of supporting the British tomatoes
Throwback to more than 20 years of supporting the British tomatoes