So far, over 1,000 UK chefs and food professionals have signed the ’One Squeeze Too Far’ petition to scrap border reset
The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) and foodservice supplier Delifresh have joined forces to launch a nationwide petition urging Britain’s chefs, restaurateurs and foodservice operators to reject the proposed UK-EU Border Reset.
The plan, slated to take effect by mid-2027, would add EU-style sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) changes to fresh produce imported from beyond Europe. The FPC has said the proposals could threaten supply chains.
The consortium has previously warned that the planned changes could add £300mn to annual import costs. This is despite the UK already running a proven, science-based, risk-led inspection regime that achieves 99.5 per cent compliance across some 120,000 consignments annually, according to the FPC.
Delifresh – which supplies fresh produce for independent restaurants, hotels, pubs and contract caterers – launched the petition across social media and its customers. The business said UK chefs, their businesses and ultimately their customers will feel the pressure as a result of the reset.
Robert Ramsden, marketing director at Delifresh, said: “Our customers tell us every day how much they value being able to source the ingredients their menus depend on, at a fair price. This petition is about protecting that – and we’re proud to put our reach behind it.”
Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the FPC, added: “Chefs don’t often get asked for their view on trade policy, but this is exactly the moment they should be heard.
“Delifresh’s reach into kitchens up and down the country means we can put the facts directly in front of the people who’ll be hit hardest by this – and give them a fast, simple way to say so.”
At the time of writing, over 1,300 UK chefs and food professionals had signed the petition.
