Possible ragwort in hay

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RPM

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Wrote a much longer post - but for some reason having problems posting.

What would you do if you suspected ragwort in hay from a new supplier (apart from not feeding it of course).

The supplier has offered a partial replacement after denying ragwort was present when I stated I was an experienced owner and knew what I was looking for.
 
Get the supplier to take it back and find a new supplier - if you are sure.

You can't check every section of evey bale so for piece of mind I'd find someone else.
 
Did you keep the evidence? I would be expecting my money back and the hay to be collected from you, but it is in short supply, can you find another supplier? Otherwise take the offered replacement and check through it carefully - he might just have one small patch you have been unlucky enough to get. How much did you find in the bale?
 
Ragwort in hay automatically makes it regarded as unfit for sale by trading standards, so unless the hay supplier leaves you with a new supply or refunds in full including collecting the contaminated batch, then you are fully entitled to report them to TS.
 
I bought two 4ft round bales. Have only opened one (this evening). The first layer or two looked OK then I started finding the ragwort. My instincts are to ring again in the morning and ask for it to be taken away and refunded. I have no means of handling it mechanically and would have to move it by wheelbarrow load quite a distance to burn it, which I'm thinking would be the safest thing to do.

The supplier has claimed the two bales came from different fields - but obviously I am concerned that he tried denying it was ragwort any way!
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
Ragwort in hay automatically makes it regarded as unfit for sale by trading standards, so unless the hay supplier leaves you with a new supply or refunds in full including collecting the contaminated batch, then you are fully entitled to report them to TS.
Click to expand...

Good luck with that then - our local TS don't deal with consumer issues any more, they advise you to speak to someone at CAB, who have taken over the role of Consumer Direct. All you get is advice, basically as far as any action goes you are very much on your own. Trust me I know, I have had a duff car and a duff building job in the last 12 months, there is no-one out there to help you other than offer advice. Why do you think there are so many TV programmes getting the poor unsuspecting public justice?
 
Have you identified the ragwort and kept it to show to the supplier? I would pick out as much as you can find and let him know that it's there. Ragwort is easy to spot in hay if you know what you're looking at. He should absolutely take the hay back. Hay supplier worth their salt will always refund you or replace with safe hay. It sounds like he's a hay merchant and he probably thinks this absolves him from any responsibility but it doesn't! Methodical hay farmers check their fields frequently during growing season to make sure there are no poisonous plants growing in them.
 
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