'CIPC cleaning is grower's responsibility'

Farmers are obliged to have barns in which the sprout inhibitor Chlorprofam has been used cleaned. The Association for the Potato Processing Industry (Vavi) includes this in its purchasing conditions. With this, the organization wants to point out to the grower his responsibility, says Hylke Brunt, secretary of the Vavi.

The detection limit of the agent will most likely be 0,01 ppm. Although an application has been made for a temporarily increased detection limit, the European Commission wants the European potato sector to make every effort to thoroughly clean storage sheds.

Because the risk of contamination is great, Vavi also wants all potatoes purchased by its members (the French fries industry) to come from cleaned sheds. De Vavi therefore states in a statement that it has amended its purchasing conditions with the following conditions:

1. Potatoes from harvest 2020 and later may not be treated with agents based on the active ingredient Chlorpropham and potatoes must comply with the applicable legislation.
2. If the seller delivers potatoes that have been stored in storage sheds for delivery, the potatoes must come from a storage suitable for consumption potatoes, which has been cleaned to prevent contamination with products based on Chlorpropham that were used in the past.
3. The seller of potatoes that will be stored before delivery will make every effort to thoroughly clean the storage sheds with accessories such as fans, air ducts and boxes, etc. before the 2020 harvest, partly within the framework of due care.
4. The seller of potatoes that will be stored has an obligation to inform the customer(s) about the maximum effort for thorough cleaning, no later than the time of delivery.

Boerenbusiness Hylke Brunt, the secretary of the Vavi, asked for an explanation.

For arable farmers, this feels more or less as if the responsibility is shifted entirely onto them. What do you think of that?
"I think that is unjustified. We are aware that we have to work together. That is also the reason for the publication of this statement. We notice that people are mainly referring to us as a processing industry. We must take responsibility for removing Chlorpropham. "But we are pointing out to the growers that they also have a responsibility themselves. We have already initiated research. We do this to show good stewardship, but in the end we have to do it together."

The European Commission points out that the entire European potato chain must resolve this. However, it seems that the grower has to do everything. What does the rest of the chain do?
"It is what it is for the entire sector. Just like the grower, the trade must also take responsibility, just like us. We support the grower in the research. The export is up to the grower. The risk of contamination must be reduced and that applies to everyone."

This means a significantly higher cost price for arable farmers. Do they see this reflected in the contract prices for their potatoes?
"I want to state that prices are not discussed within the VAVI. We assume that the market will solve this. And if you didn't see this coming, you must have been living under a rock. What I do know is that from "There will be no additional payment to the collective of the VAVI. This statement should be seen more as an interpretation of the rules and also serves to raise awareness. It is clear that everyone must comply with the rules."

The statement does not mention how a customer deals with exceeding the standard. Can you say something about this?
"That is actually still too early. LTO has suggested that there should be a more relaxed regime. But the essence is that the potatoes may not be processed in the event of contamination. The potatoes are then incinerated. The grower is therefore not paid for contaminated potatoes. And furthermore, the general purchasing conditions simply apply, which also deal with individual liability. The further conditions of the individual customer may also apply."

De Vavi conducts research into how best to clean the sheds. How is this investigation progressing?
"We are investigating the residue level in barns in which no CIPC was used last season. We are also looking at the best cleaning method. We expect the results to be known at the end of February, early March. spring is definitely the time for cleaning, the barns must of course be cleaned before sanding again."

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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