Is it a legal requirement to remove ragwort?
Under the Weeds Act 1959, landowners/occupiers must control ragwort within risk areas for grazing or forage production. This means there is a legal obligation to remove ragwort where it’s growing on this land or there is a high risk of spread to it.
Who is responsible for ragwort removal?
Landowners
Landowners are usually asked to clear the weeds within 28 days from the date of the letter. During June, July, August and September landowners will be asked to clear the weeds within 14 days. If horses or livestock are present on the infested land, Natural England may reduce this time to 7 days.
Why is ragwort a problem?
Ragwort contains toxins called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These, in sufficient quantities, can cause liver poisoning in horses and livestock. It is a cumulative poison that eventually leads to the rapid onset of symptoms before death.
Do you have to report ragwort?
Common ragwort is poisonous to animals, in particular horses. The others, if allowed to spread, compete with and suppress grass and crop plants. The five weeds covered by the 1959 Act are not “notifiable” as such and there is no obligation to report their presence to anyone.
Is ragwort protected?
(b)Not being an authorised person intentionally, uproots any wild plant not included in that schedule. he shall be guilty of an offence.
Can you be fined for ragwort?
The weed common ragwort is a toxic plant that can pose a significant threat to grazing livestock. It is a sufficient enough hazard to be included in law as an ‘injurious weed’ and can be an offence when left uncontrolled, leading to fines for the landowner.
Is it OK to touch ragwort?
Although Ragwort is poisonous to humans there is little risk due to it being distasteful and not used as food. People have complained about irritated skin after handled Ragwort, therefore, we would always recommend avoiding skin contact with this plant.
What can ragwort do to humans?
Risks to humans who suffer exposure to the PAs in ragwort could include vascular occlusion – narrowing of the blood vessels and arteries – and liver diseases. Prof Knottenbelt said some humans could be more susceptible to ragwort’s toxicity than others, as scientists have suggested with variant CJD.
What animals eat ragwort?
A fantasia of hoverflies, robber flies, solitary bees, bumblebees and beetles feed on ragwort pollen and nectar. A harvestman spider – a full-stop on improbably spindly legs – hunts ragwort visitors, as do the house martins swooping above.
How do you dispose of pulled ragwort?
There are five options to dispose of Ragwort: Rotting Down Composting, Incineration, Controlled Burning or Landfill.
What is the law on ragwort?
It is not an offence to have ragwort growing on your land and can have conservation benefits, attracting butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. However, it must not be allowed to spread to agricultural land, particularly grazing areas or land which is used to produce conserved forage.