CIPC Time Bomb: UK Potato Storage Faces Shutdown Threat

A new report tracking residue levels of the sprout suppressant Chlorpropham (CIPC) has sounded a warning to potato growers across the UK — urging them to test and submit data from stores treated with the chemical to ensure continued compliance and avoid potential loss of storage capacity.

Although CIPC is no longer approved for use — with all applications in Great Britain terminated back in 2020 — traces of the compound can remain in store linings and may contaminate potatoes stored in those units. A cross-industry group, the CIPC Residues Monitoring Group (CRMG), has been established to compile residue test data and work with the regulatory authority’s Chemical Regulation Division.

Under the new rules, a temporary Maximum Residue Level (tMRL) of 0.35 mg/kg has been introduced for CIPC in stored potatoes. CRMG is urging growers and store-owners to submit compliance sampling data from stores that previously used CIPC — aiming for over 120 stores annually — to ensure the tMRL remains in force. Failure to deliver sufficient data could see the permissible residue threshold fall drastically to 0.01 mg/kg, putting up to 30–40% of existing storage facilities at risk of being decommissioned.

CRMG has reassured growers that submitted data will remain anonymous, while underlining the importance of testing: without a robust dataset, many stores may no longer be eligible for safe use. The group includes major industry bodies such as GB Potatoes, the UK Potato Processors Association, the Fresh Potato Suppliers Association and the National Farmers Union — reflecting broad consensus on the need for urgency.

Growers and storage managers with a history of CIPC use are being asked to contact CRMG or any member organisation to obtain a data submission form and provide recent lab results.

Source: The Scottish Farmer