Urgent Call for CIPC Residue Data to Safeguard UK Potato Storage Standards

In 2024, the CIPC Residues Monitoring Group submitted 102 residue data results from potato samples held in stores during 2023/24. The stores had been previously treated with CIPC (chlorpropham) at some time in their history.

These data were voluntarily submitted to the Group, on an anonymous basis, in answer to a request to the potato industry for information from the Health & Safety Executive to allow the suitability of the new temporary maximum residue level for CIPC to be assessed.

Data collected last year shows that, without the tMRL, around 1 in 4 storage facilities would have exceeded the limit of detection (LoD). These stores could have generated exceedances had the tMRL not been introduced. That’s why it’s so important to keep the results flowing so we can maintain support for the tMRL.

It is crucial that industry continues to supply monitoring data to retain the temporary MRL. HSE will oversee this to ensure the tMRL continues to be set at an appropriate level. Its retention relies on the industry providing the evidence that it’s still needed.

How You Can Help

Most growers already have access to the data we need through regular customer testing of potato samples or Red Tractor sampling...

Just One Test is all CRMG needs from each potato store previously treated at any time with CIPC. If you have such stores, where crops are held for at least two months in the 2024/25 season, please provide data from your regular multi-residue testing to allow this to be used as part of the CRMG report to be submitted in summer 2025. We require 125 samples for the next data call, so new contributors are always welcome.

What We Need from You

If you have potato stores previously treated with CIPC and are holding or have held crops for at least two months this season, please provide at least one of your regular multi-residue test results that includes chlorpropham. Even if you sent test results in last year, we can still take your data this season so please make sure you submit again.

Submitting Your Data Is Simple

• You can find the easy to complete data form here on our webpage: download the Proforma
• Send your residue data with the form to CRMG’S Independent Chair, Adrian Cunnington, at adrian@potatostorageinsight.com
• CRMG will fully anonymise your data before submitting it to HSE.

That’s it!

Just complete the form and attach a copy of your lab result. It couldn’t be easier—and your contribution is vital.

Please act NOW!

Your data will help us support the tMRL and protect the UK’s potato storage infrastructure. Please send us your data by 31 May to make sure we can include it in our 2025 submission.