The Potato Industry CIPC Stewardship Group (PICSG) has warned potato growers and buyers against applying sprout suppressant Chlorpropham (CIPC) at 2020 store loading.
The popular active, previously used on over 90% of the 3.5 million tonnes of potatoes stored in Britain, had its approval for use withdrawn by the European Commission on January 8.
The maximum ‘use-up’ period of nine months was set by the EU, with member states able to set their own date within that timeframe.This means the last possible use-up date is October 8 – during the very early stages of potato store loading in a typical season. This date has now been officially confirmed as the use-up date in the UK.
PICSG chairman Dr. Mike Storey said that businesses who have not been monitoring technical messages will be at risk of crops not passing inspection.
