Chlorpropham (or CIPC) is isopropyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate, and is widely used as a sprout su
ppressing agrochemical applied to stored potatoes. It works by interfering with cell division to inhibit sprout development.
Effective sprout suppression is a fundamental component of managing stored potato quality. CIPC is particularly important for potato storage in the processing sector, where its use – on a global basis – is almost universal. This is because crops destined for this market must be stored at relatively warm temperatures (6-13°C) in order to maintain frying quality.
CIPC has been available for over fifty years and was in place even before refrigeration/temperature controlled storage was an option to growers. It is currently applied to approximately half of the stored potato crop in GB and hence the risk of withdrawal has highly significant implications.
Typically applied to stores by dedicated fogging contractors, CIPC maintains high quality potato tubers for up to a year, and is deemed a critical necessity within the current market place, that demands high quantities of high quality produce to meet demand. 1.2 million tonnes of potatoes are subjected to CIPC treatment every year.
Like all agrochemicals, the use of CIPC is regulated under the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) 1985 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and covered by the Code of Practice for using plant protection products (2006). In addition, following a review by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides in 2007, the use of CIPC is now subject to a stewardship process – embodied within this website – which is operated by the potato industry CIPC Stewardship Group. As part of this process, the Stewardship Group has produced a five point Action Plan to strengthen best practice and advocate additional controls on the use of CIPC – to avoid future exceedances of the Maximum Residue Level (MRL).