BHS and Defra team up to tackle ragwort

The British Horse Society (BHS) is producing a ragwort ‘toolkit’, after a survey revealed almost 99 percent of horse owners believe more needs to be done to control the killer plant.

Ragwort poisoning

The BHS received 13,963 responses – making it the largest survey in England to assess awareness and concern about ragwort.

The study found 20 percent of respondents knew of instances where horses had been suspected or confirmed as having ragwort poisoning, while 93 percent said they take preventative measures to reduce the risk of the weed.

Worryingly 84 percent reported seeing ragwort in fields used by horses in the last seven days (at the time of the survey) and55 percent had taken no action.

Informed actions

Nearly all respondents (97-99 percent) believe more needs to be done is needed to improve knowledge, enforce ragwort control and improve local councils’ monitoring of the deadly weed.

“We are really pleased to have received such an overwhelming response to our survey and we would like to thank all of those who took the time to take part,” said Lee Hackett, BHS director of equine policy.

“Our survey enabled us to better understand the extent of the problem that ragwort causes and has informed our actions going forward.”

Action partnerships

Following these results, the BHS plans to produce a toolkit in conjunction with Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) for local equine groups. This will offer advice on controlling ragwort and the legal responsibilities a with ragwort.

The society also wants to set up ragwort action partnerships between local authorities, landowners, and equine groups.

“Introducing a toolkit and local ragwort action partnerships will be important in raising awareness of the best practice and effective mechanisms for both controlling ragwort on their own land and respective legal responsibilities, as well as improving communication between the individuals and organisations who are affected by ragwort and involved in controlling the spread of the weed,” said Lee.