Ragwort Facts
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How to kill RagwortWe tried Barrier H but only found that, whilst the plants shrivel up really quickly, they grow back within a few weeks. We tried burning the plants with a garden "flame thrower"... they grew back within a few weeks. We dug plants up with a fork, but bits of the root are left in the ground... and they grow back. In our experience the only effective way of getting rid of Ragwort permanently is to spot spray the plants with a systemic weed killer like Roundup - best done at the rosette stage. This kills the roots and it DOESN'T grow back. You just have to keep applying it over a period of a year or two, as new plants will spring up elsewhere, but eventually, you do win the battle. Obviously, you have to keep your horses out of the field for a few days after each application...! |
When you see Ragwort what do you do?
It's not in your field - you ignore it - it's someone else's problem... wrong!
It won't be long before it's seeds blow into your field. Don't leave it to
someone else.
Do something about it...
Ragwort - rosette stage
You keep your field clear of Ragwort, of course you do, (don't you?) but it's infesting many of the road side verges in the UK...
If you don't do something about it - it will soon be in your field!
This land is probably owned by your local Council / Highways department and they probably don't even know about the problem.
What can YOU do?
Look up their phone numbers, you want either the...
- Highways Agency - 08457 50 40 30 - (Motorways and trunk roads) or
- Network Rail - 08457 11 41 41 - (Railway land
and embankments)
or for all other roads - Your Local Highways Authority -
Look them up in your local telephone directory or the local authority website
... depending on the land in question. Ring them and report the Ragwort. If it is their land, they will deal with it. Go on - pick up the phone - do it now - don't leave it to someone else!
Ragwort - Stem and flower stage
It's no use taking steps to rid your field of ragwort when there may be another infestation 2 fields away... seeds will still blow over and it will start all over again!
You must report any and all Ragwort infdestations in your area.
Ragwort poisoning - a slow and painful death for horses!
Ragwort is an "injurious weed" and is governed by the Control of Weeds Act 1959.
However, the new Ragwort Control Act (look half way down that page) came into force in February 2003 and amends the Weeds Act, gives added protection to horses, as well as other animals from the serious and sometimes fatal consequences of Ragwort poisoning. The Ragwort Control Act makes it easier to prosecute those who disregard the need to control Ragwort. Defra have a Code of Practice (large .pdf file created by Defra) which offers comprehansive guidance and advice on all matters to do with Ragwort
We contacted DEFRA the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who confirmed that a landowner must treat land infested by ragwort.
If you see ragwort don't leave it to someone else... tell the landowner and they should take action. When ragwort threatens agricultural land, the landowner is required by Law to properly treat it. If they don't, DEFRA will make it happen!
In many cases, the landowner will be your local Council or Highways department. We contacted our local Council and they confirmed that they always investigate any reports of ragwort and will take the necessary steps to destroy it. However, it is up to YOU to report it in the first place!
