Big society Can Help Tackle Ragwort Risk
With the Common Ragwort season in full bloom, Mr Paice is calling on landowners, local groups and nature-lovers to work together to help control the toxic weed.
Mr Paice said: “This little flower may look like a pretty yellow daisy but it spreads easily and can poison horses and other animals – so tackling this problem can be a practical example of the Big Society working together to be part of the solution to control the spread. Landowners, conservation and community groups can all help by being on the lookout and to help remove this weed, where there’s a risk that livestock will eat it, by following the advice in the ragwort code of practice.
“If you’re worried about the risk to your livestock from ragwort on neighbouring land, get in touch with the owner to let them know. And if a local solution can’t be found, you can call Natural England if the problem looks like it’s getting out of hand.”
Anyone concerned about the spread of Common Ragwort should get in touch with the landowner or manager of the land on which the weed is growing and ask them to take action to control it. If the problem persists, a complaint can be made to Natural England, which will investigate it where there is a risk to animal welfare and agricultural activities.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
