Fast-food burger chain McDonald's has finally bowed to pressure from campaigners and agreed to pay an extra cent per pound of Florida tomatoes.

The group agreed to the increase after lobbying from campaigners highlighted the poverty of the sunshine state's predominantly Latino farmworkers, according to a report in The Guardian today.

The deal, which was brokered by former president Jimmy Carter's human rights organisation, the Carter Center, will nearly double workers' income from 40¢ to 72¢ per bucket of fruit.

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers, which represents Florida's seasonal pickers, described it as a "major step" towards "humane working conditions".

Florida grows nine out of 10 winter tomatoes in America and McDonald's buys 15 million annually for use in its sandwiches and salads.

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By Emily Manson

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