Potato growers urged to submit samples as CIPC deadline approaches

Two industry bodies are urging potato growers and store managers to prioritise store cleaning and to submit their residue sampling results before the end of this month.

The sprout suppressant CIPC (chlorpropham) was widely used in potato stores across the UK until its withdrawal in 2020.

One legacy of its use is that the chemical can remain in the fabric of the building, with trace amounts being detected in stored potatoes.

See also: How to avoid “CIPC legacy” residue breaches in potato stores

In April 2024, the Chemical Regulations Division (CRD) of the Health and Safety Executive implemented a temporary Maximum Residue Level (tMRL) of 0.35mg/kg.

This limit will be maintained as long as the industry can prove that it is required and, to demonstrate this, data needs to be submitted on annual basis.

Now in the third year, both the GB Potatoes and the CIPC Residues Monitoring Group (CRMG) are urging growers to submit their sampling results before the 31 August deadline.

Improving situation

The latest CRMG surveillance data shows that CIPC residues detected in potato stores remain within the current permitted limit.

Residue levels are continuing to decline, demonstrating the progress made by the industry since CIPC was withdrawn six years ago.

About one in seven stores is still returning a detectable CIPC residue, compared with approximately one in four during the first year of monitoring.

While these detections are within acceptable regulatory levels, the results show that historic residues can remain in stores and underline the importance of continued thorough cleaning.

Chairman of CRMG Adrian Cunnington said: “The trend is encouraging and the industry deserves credit for the progress made. But we cannot be complacent.

“With around one in seven stores still showing a positive result, there is clearly more work to do, and thorough cleaning between storage seasons remains the single most important action growers can take.”

The CRMG is particularly encouraging growers and store managers supplying the fresh sector to participate in this season’s monitoring programme.

The programme has received strong support from the processing sector, but fresh-sector stores remain less well represented. 

The deadline for residue sampling results submission is 31 August, with data then to be collated and submitted to the regulator by mid-September.

More information, full store cleaning guidance and submission forms for sampling are available at gb-potatoes.co.uk/growers-urged-to-submit-store-samples/