Ragwort poses dangers
MANY supporters have contacted us recently to voice concerns
about ragwort, which is blooming at the moment. As every horse
owner and farmer knows, it contains toxins which can have
debilitating or fatal consequences if eaten by grazing
animals.
Ragwort has a place in the countryside; it supports a
variety of invertebrates and is a major nectar source for many
insects, but it must be controlled, especially where there are
horses and livestock.
Land stewardship and animal husbandry are huge
responsibilities, taken seriously by farmers, but it is
important to publicise the dangers of ragwort to the widest
possible audience.
There is growing concern that some public bodies who own
land, like local authorities, are not taking the problem
seriously and managing their land appropriately, but there is
no excuse; a Code of Practice on how to stop the spread of
ragwort is available from Defra.
The Countryside Alliance will be writing to all local
authorities and other bodies to remind them of their duty to
control ragwort on their land and they must be vigilant,
especially where it abuts farmland.
The threat ragwort poses to animals cannot be underestimated
and is something all landowners, public and private, must take
seriously.
Simon Hart Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance
Comments
by Charles Henry, Somerset
Thursday, August 14 2008, 12:28PM
“Ragwort is a 'Noxious weed' and covered by the Weeds Act 1959.
Although the primary responsibility for weeds covered under this act lies with the landowner; DEFRA can take action if there is a risk that the plants might spread to neighbouring land. (which there obviously is.) It is not actually illegal to have any of the five species growing on plots of land, however.
These species are:
* COMMON RAGWORT (Senecio jacobaea)
* Broad leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
* Curled dock (Rumex crispus)
* Creeping or field thistle (Cirsium arvense)
* Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
Fortunately horses will not normally eat Ragwort whilst it is still alive, but it is a serious danger if/when made into hay or if any livestock are short of grazing. . It is spread by the wind. . Fortunately the horse world is mostly aware of the danger and also aware that most of it is now grown by councils on verges and central reservations etc. . We must thank Simon Hart and the Countryside Alliance for pursuing this matter.”