Potato growers with box stores supplying the fresh sector in the UK are being encouraged to share their data to ensure the continued viability of buildings that previously utilized the sprout suppressant CIPC (chlorpropham).
CIPC was a commonly used chemical in potato storage facilities throughout the UK until its discontinuation in 2020. A lingering issue from its use is the potential retention of the chemical within the structure of the building, leading to the detection of trace amounts in stored potatoes.
In April, the Health and Safety Executive’s Chemical Regulations Division (CRD) implemented a temporary Maximum Residue Level (tMRL) of 0.35mg/kg. This threshold will be upheld provided the industry can justify its necessity, requiring the submission of data on an annual basis.
Failure to provide this essential data could result in a reduction of the MRL to 0.01mg/kg, putting 30-40% of storage facilities at risk of being decommissioned.
To meet the CRD’s data requirements, the UK potato industry established the CIPC Residues Monitoring Group (CRMG) to manage data submissions. However, the CRMG’s chairman, Adrian Cunnington, highlights a notable absence of data from box stores in the fresh sector nationwide.
Hence, the group is making a plea to suppliers in this market who previously employed CIPC to share their residue data promptly to support ongoing industry efforts.
