Horses grazing in a sea of ragwort - who to report to

[Jane_Lou]

There is a local private yard where the horses are turned out 24 hours a day in what I can only describe as a field of ragwort. It wasn't great last year but this year it is literally a field if ragwort.

The owner of the yard also owns the horses so there Is no external pressure to resolve this from liveries etc.

I have reported this to BHS and am waiting to hear from them but is there anyone else people suggest I contact in the meantime?

 

[Dry Rot]

Try a search for "ragwort" on here.

As has been advised several times before, the people to complain to are DEFRA and when they don't do anything (they won't), look on the DEFRA web site for details on making a formal complaint, and when that doesn't work (it probably won't), write to your MP! The last might.

When complaining about ragwort infestations, don't forget to state the six figure map reference (which you can get by using streetmap.co.uk) for the land, landowner's name if possible, and a photograph.

The relevant legislation is the Weeds Act 1959, Welfare of Animals Act, and Cross Compliance (which is what landowners agree to so they can get the Single Farm Payment).

 

[asmp]

Big article about this in the Telegraph today - worth a read.

 

[Micky]

Drives me mad seeing ragwort happily sprouting in farmers/liveries fields, never mind on the verges of roads..We are forever puling baby raggies (!!) out of the field ....you get to feel its pointless if those around let ragwort just grow and seed...I've not heard anything positive comeback from complaining to defra or the likes, nothing ever seems to be done!
Good luck!
Maybe we should petition??