New moves to prevent Ragwort poisoning
Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael today urged landowners and occupiers to control ragwort spread, and prevent poisoning of countless horses and other livestock each year.
Mr Michael, who is also Minister for the Horse, joined British Horse Society Chairman, Mrs Pat Campbell, at Hickstead Royal International Horse Show to launch a draft code of practice on controlling the spread of the poisonous weed on to agricultural or grazing land.
New enforcement procedures by Defra under the Weeds Act will also mean that, in future, complaints about the threat the weed poses to horses will be given priority along with other livestock.
Alun Michael commented:
"The draft code provides clear guidance for all landowners and occupiers, including local authorities and statutory organisations, such as rail and waterways authorities on best practice in controlling ragwort. By developing a strategic approach to control, organisations should be able to get better value for money from their efforts and minimise spread from their land to farm and other land.
"I am grateful to The British Horse Society for their work in drafting the Ragwort Control Bill and to Network Rail, local authorities and others on the working group who have drawn up this draft code. It is being published today to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to comment on its content and clarity.
"I am also grateful to John Greenway MP, who introduced the Ragwort Control Bill as a Private Member's Bill, for his cooperation with me and the BHS to achieve an effective piece of legislation".
Pat Campbell commented:
"This code has been a long time coming, and we are pleased that it has come to fruition at last. Let us hope that it will be instrumental in controlling ragwort to the extent that horse owners no longer have to fear this pernicious weed. The BHS is grateful to Alun Michael for the help he has given in ensuring the code of practice has now become a reality".
The draft Code has been drawn up in preparation for the Ragwort Control Bill, currently before Parliament. The Bill would enable the Code to be used as evidence in enforcement proceedings under the Weeds Act. Under that Act the Secretary of State may serve a notice on an occupier of land on which injurious weeds are growing, requiring action to prevent the spread of weeds. It is an offence for the occupier unreasonably to fail to comply.
Most responsible landowners are expected to stop the spread of ragwort voluntarily, without the need for enforcement action. Where such action becomes necessary the Code provides clear guidance on what is considered to be "reasonable" action to comply with an enforcement notice. Everyone concerned will benefit from this improved clarity and wherever possible Defra hopes enforcement proceedings can be avoided.
The code sets out:
- Why it is necessary to control the spread of ragwort
- How to assess the risk it poses to horses and other livestock
- The control methods available
- Health and safety requirements
- How to dispose of ragwort
The Code promotes a proportionate response to the risks identified and acknowledges that it is nether possible or desirable to eradicate ragwort completely.
