Potato growers have been invited to submit their potato residue test results to a cross-industry body, to help secure the future use of stores previously treated with the sprout suppressant chlorpropham (CIPC).

CIPC was widely used in potato stores across the UK until its withdrawal in 2020.

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

The Health & Safety Executive’s Chemical Regulation Division (CRD) has now decided to monitor residues of CIPC in potatoes held in potato stores.

See also: What is GB Potatoes and why should farmers join?

CRD has implemented a temporary Maximum Residue Level (tMRL) of 0.35mg/kg and intends to carry out an annual review of residues for an initial period of five years.

To satisfy the data requirements of the CRD, the UK potato industry has set up a cross-industry body – the CIPC Residues Monitoring Group (CRMG) – to oversee data submissions.

The group’s chairman, Adrian Cunnington, urges people in the industry to ensure that the data CRD has requested are provided so that potato stores previously treated with CIPC can continue to be used safely.

Mark Taylor, chairman of GB Potatoes, explains that without this data, the MRL will drop to 0.01mg/kg and this could mean 30-40% of stores are at risk of being taken out of use.

To help ensure the 0.35mg/kg limit remains in place, the group is seeking the co-operation of growers and suppliers from all production sectors to provide residue data from compliance sampling for over 120 potato stores annually.

Adrian explains that the data already exists in the potato industry and reassures growers that it will be kept strictly anonymous.

Any growers willing to supply CIPC residue data from crops held in stores with a CIPC history are asked to email adrian@potatostorageinsight.com or contact any CRMG member.

Growers will receive a data submission form, which they should complete and return with a copy of their lab result.

CMRG has gained industry support from a number of organisations including GB Potatoes, the UK Potato Processors Association, Fresh Potato Suppliers Association, NFU, National Association of Agricultural Contractors (Postharvest Group), Certis Belchim, UPL, CS Backhouse, Isle of Ely Potatoes, Potato Storage Insight and SA Consulting.