b"Europes ban on CIPC has led to enormous discussion behind closed doors. Johnson believes its just a matter of time before North American farmers face the same challenges. Its a problem, knowing what to do, Johnson says. Some of the options are not as good.While they do have access to alternative prod-ucts, they dont have enough applicators to handle the number of storage units they currently have. And while growers could invest in the equipment, most are playing the waiting game. Our growerstheyre worried, theyre cautious, explains Johnson. They are positioning themselves to react, but were just not sure.While most growers wait it out, some are actively checking out the alternatives. Johnson is also preparing small trials to see what works best where. In the meantime, theyre watching Europe closely to see how farmers there are managing without CIPC. Its my job to be ahead of the problems and not chase them, he adds.In Canada, growers have had access to alternative products like 1,4DMN for 10 years now. Registered for use in potatoes, 1,4DMN doesnt have a maximum residue level in North America. Its also the only product registered for dormancy management on seed potatoes, says Bill Orr, Ca-nadian technical sales rep at 1,4 Group Canada. Orr isn't overly concerned about CIPC dereg-ulation in Canada. It was recently reregistered,A potato that was treated with ethylene while in storage.PHOTO: TIM KITSONand there were no rumblings in the industry, he says. Im not worried about losing it from afree as a marketing tool to gain market share inBack in Europe, Cattoor says there are no regulatory standpoint, but the global change inNorth America or elsewhere in the global market. plans to pursue reregulation. Producers did push, the use of CIPC may bring about the change to theThen it could muddy the waters, he says.and received, a temporary maximum residue limit industry.Well wait and see what happens on that. (MRL). It will enter into force on Sept. 2, 2021. In the future, Orr expects growers will likelyWhile Canada doesnt export processed pota- This was granted because the European reduce their use of CIPC and supplement use withtoes to Europe, it does receive imports from theCommission and Member States acknowledged alternatives like 1,4SIGHT or 1,4ZAP.continent. According to Kevin MacIsaac, generalthe historical contamination of potato storages Sprout inhibition in North America will changemanager of United Potato Growers of Canada,through long time use, asserts Cattoor. from the standard one or two treatment programimports of EU frozen potato products to NorthIn the meantime, the European potato sector to a season-long storage program of multipleAmerica were up 42.3 per cent in 2020. This in- has been asked to prepare a report outlining treatments that will deliver sprout-free, field-freshcludes a 31.3 per cent increase in frozen importsthe implementation of cleaning practices and potatoes to the end users, he says. to Canada, and a 42.8 per cent increase in frozenfrequency. In preparation of the report, Belgapom Like Orr, Terence Hochstein, executive directorproducts to the U.S.has sampled nearly 1,000 potato stores, monitor-of Potato Growers Alberta, isnt concerned aboutMacIsaac says theyre watching the CIPC issueing them for chlorpropham residue through cross losing CIPC in the short term. But it could be anvery closely. He doesnt know how Canadian grow- contamination. Farmers were asked to fill out a issue down the road when the Health Canada Pesters would deal with its loss, if it came down to it.short questionnaire outlining how they cleaned Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) conductsEuropean farmers have his sympathy, he says.storage units and how often.another review.How do we deal with that? MacIsaac asks.Similar data is being collected in France and Well cross that bridge when we get there,I dont know. I hope we dont have to deal with itthe Netherlands. Reports are to be submitted to Hochstein says. right away. the EC for review by Dec. 31, 2021. The dossier Hochstein does have concerns, pointing outIts something thats on the horizon, its justwill be updated in subsequent years. European fry exporters could start using CIPC- a matter of how far away the horizon is.10 SPUDSMART.COM SPRING 2021"