The situation surrounding the ban on Chlorpropham (CIPC) is panicky. There is still a lot of uncertainty. Both in the political field, of a possible t-MRL, and in the field of sampling and delivery. This became apparent at the Potato Theme Day in Dronten.
Hylke Brunt, secretary of the Association for the Potato Processing Industry (VAVI), admitted that the situation is quite panicky. "But the starting point is that we process 100% of the raw materials. Our nightmare scenario is that we end up in a fipronil-like scenario."
civil service
According to Brunt, 50% of the potatoes cannot be processed if there is no t-MRL and the residue level remains at 0,01 ppm. "Even if a t-MRL is introduced, a number of percent of the potatoes will not be able to be processed. The problem is that the civil service does not realize that this is still a very large quantity of 30 million tons of potatoes."
The situation is so uncertain that there is no clarity even about sampling. "The differences between sampling agencies are very large. Moreover, it is a myth that washing and peeling reduces the residue level. The residue remains there," says Brunt.
Do not sample more often
Brunt has already given a few hints about the measures that the industry proposes to take. "We want to focus on dry cleaning and believe that a large part of the cleaning can be carried out by growers." He also stated that the processing industry is not very enthusiastic about more intensive sampling.