Farming Monthly National September 2016 | Page 18

| Potatoes Make sure you are ready for the future with CIPC CIPC labels and Stewardship guidance updated for 2016/17. hanges for the forthcoming year to product labels for chlorpropham (CIPC) have recently come into force and, on 1 August, the Potato Industry CIPC Stewardship Group released its updated guidance for the forthcoming season. CIPC is an essential for the control sprouting and is applied to almost 2 million tonnes of potatoes stored each year across the industry in Great Britain. In line with the ‘Step Down’ process working towards a new pan-European rate for 2017, there are new, lower application rates for CIPC use in the coming season which have now been approved. These were requested by the companies that hold the approvals for formulations as part of the CIPC Stewardship process and will help to ensure compliance with the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) of 10 mg/kg. For the 2016-17 season, the new statutory limits for total dose, approved by Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) are 42 grams/tonne for processing (including fish & chip shop supplies and peeling) and 24 g/t for the fresh market. The latest time of application is 14 days before removal from store for sale or processing and is also a statutory requirement. C There are new, lower application rates for CIPC use in the coming season which have now been approved Additionally, Stewardship best practice, endorsed by the NAAC’s CIPC Applicator Group and Red Tractor Farm Assurance, continues to allow just one application of up to 16 g/t in cold stores as CIPC residue declines more slowly at cold temperature. This applies to all stores to be held below 5°C. This application should be made early in storage during pull-down, before the temperature is decreased below 7°C, for maximum efficacy. Be 2017 Ready The Stewardship Group is also urging users to ‘Be 2017 Ready’ by taking on board the changes necessary to introduce Active Recirculation as part of the application process. This requires that the fog must be actively and evenly recirculated through the potatoes using the main or supplementary fans and will be manadatory in all stores from July 2017 onwards. It is recommended that users consult their NAAC CIPC Applicator to discuss this requirement now to ensure that, if steps have not yet been taken, applications can still be made next season. Here is the definition for Active Recirculation and associated guidance released by PICSG: Active Recirculation – for application of Chlorpropham (CIPC) to stored potatoes The active, even movement and recirculation of airflow, through stored potatoes, during and after Chlorpropham application (until the fog has cleared) accomplished via any suitable mechanical means in order to improve application uniformity and maximize product efficacy. Practical guida