News - Ethylene - your questions answered
16 Apr 08
Is ethylene approved for use in the UK?Yes. The Pesticides Safety Directorate has approved the use of ethylene here in the UK by granting what is known as Commodity Substance Approval.
Is ethylene approved for use in other parts of the World?There is no internationally agreed regulatory protocol for the use of ethylene. In the EU its use is governed by whatever regulation is in force by each member state. But the EC is currently reviewing all pesticide active ingredients under the terms of Council Directive 91/414/EEC.
What might happen after the EC Review?We believe there are two possible outcomes:
Firstly, ethylene will be included on an approved ‘active substance’ list (known as Annex 1). After this, the UK, in common with all member states, can apply for national approval for the use of ethylene in its territory. Companies who market ethylene will then be able to apply for a licence to sell it.
Secondly, the Council Directive may be revised to include a ‘Commodity Substance’ category such as the one that exists in the UK. In this case, nothing significant will change.
Is biofresh involved in the EC licensing process?Yes. Very much involved. We are working closely with The Pesticides Safety Directorate who are acting on behalf of the EC in reviewing the ethylene application. They are extremely supportive and helpful in this process. Our partner company Air Products (who produces and supplies the pure ethylene used in our systems) is a key member of the syndicate who are promoting the registration of ethylene through the EC.
Will biofresh be able to sell its systems once a licence is required?
Unequivocally yes. Our partner company, Air Products, will hold the licence to market ethylene to a wide range of applications. Biofresh is the nominated company to market ethylene systems within the potato industry. This arrangement allows biofresh to focus on innovating, developing and manufacturing the most efficient ethylene management systems for potato stores, whilst Air Products are free to develop other markets for ethylene.
Is ethylene harmful in any way?
Although it is classified as a ‘pesticide’, ethylene is in fact a natural gas. Pure ethylene (which is found naturally in ripening fruit stores), degrades into harmless components under natural light and leaves no discernable residues on treated potatoes. It is totally harmless to humans. It’s been used for many years as a means of controlling the ripening process in crops such as bananas and citrus fruit.
Who should consider using an ethylene system for sprout suppression?
Growers, packers and distribution companies who need to store potatoes for any length of time. Biofresh can supply a system to suit a single store through to multi storage units to any volume. Biofresh is offers the best solution to any company that wishes to go CIPC-free or who is facing increasing pressure to do so as part of a supply chain policy of ‘zero residues’.
Who uses the biofresh system now?
Our customers include relatively small specialist growers such as Carrols Heritage Potatoes to the largest distributors and packers such as Solanum, Branston and MBMG. Our systems are also in use in the USA, Canada and North Africa.