Charity warns of ragwort danger
| Charity warns of ragwort danger The inclement weather of July and August has led World Horse Welfare to issue a reminder to land and horse owners to be on their guard against deadly ragwort Tony Tyler, World Horse Welfare's Deputy Chief Executive, says: "Ragwort poses a huge risk to horse health and in prolonged periods of wet weather, verges and set-aside often go uncut allowing the weed to grow and spread its seeds. Once it flowers around 200,000 seeds per plant are open to the elements and as the seeds are airborne, a field of ragwort that is not even adjoining grazing animals still poses a very real threat." |  |
A horse that eats ragwort may be condemned to a slow and painful death from liver failure; blindness and disorientation are amongst the symptoms, which can show up after ongoing consumption of even small amounts of ragwort. Once symptoms appear there is seldom a cure for ragwort poisoning; it is also dangerous to other grazing animals.
Under the Weeds Act 1959 the Secretary of State may serve an enforcement notice on the occupier of land on which injurious weeds are growing, requiring the occupier to take action to prevent the spread of injurious weeds. The Weeds Act specifies five injurious weeds, including Common Ragwort.
The leading international horse charity is urging communities to work together to rid fields and roads around the UK of ragwort but as it is also poisonous to humans, anyone removing plants should wear gloves and dust masks, and follow official advice on disposing of the plants available from Defra.
VFH - Futher Information
Identification of Injurious Weeds
Indentification of Injurious Weeds - DERFA
Guidance on the disposal options for common ragwort
Preventing the spread of harmfull weeds
Guidance note on the methods that can be used to control harmful weeds
Natural England is the body responsible for enforcing the Weeds Act 1959 and the Ragwort Control Act 2003 and each Local Highways Agency (for action on motorways) is also supposed to take anti-ragwort action.
For those who would like to prompt these organizations into action call Natural England 0845 600 3078 and ask for the Weeds Department. For the Highways Agency call 08457 504030
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Added on: 13/08/09.
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