VAVI Warns Preparations for New Storage Regime Must Begin

VAVI – the Dutch potato processing association – has issued an official warning directed at growers who supply the processing industry not to treat their 2020 crop with Chlorpropham (CIPC).

The storage of consumption potatoes is approaching a new period in the following storage season (2020 harvest). This follows the announcement of the EU ban on CIPC as a sprout inhibitor in the potato sector, which will be implemented by the Dutch government soon.

The transition to the new storage regime comes with a series of challenges for the entire potato sector, ranging from effective sprout inhibition using alternative means to implementing effective large-scale cleaning operations of storage cells that have had used CIPC in the past.

In close collaboration with the national federation of six EU countries and the EUPPA, a number of initiatives are currently being set up, including gaining insight into the cost-effective cleaning of potato storage sheds. In the Netherlands, this promotion is set up by VAVI. The overview of cost-effective cleaning will be completed by mid-March 2020 and will lead to concrete advice for growers. The underlying research results of the cleaning project will also be shared with European Commission with a view to applying for a temporary MRL (maximum residue level) – a necessary instrument to prevent calamities based on historical contamination. Finally, VAVI advises its growers to proactively seek out and use alternative approaches to sprout inhibition.

In addition to issuing the recent request not to apply CIPC for the harvest of 2020, VAVI is committed to intensive cooperation will all partners in the potato chain to inform growers about good practices, both in the use of alternatives and cleaning of storage sites. All growers of consumption potatoes are thereby encouraged to form a good image of what the consequence regarding continuing to use CIPC, and how they can be adequately mitigated.