Deadline approaches for Ragwort Awareness Week submissions

By Your Horse

General news

08 May 2008 16:19

Following the first Ragwort Awareness Week 0f 2008 in April, the May deadline for submitting reports on your activities to feature in the British Horse Society (BHS) magazine ‘British Horse’ is fast approaching. Anyone who held a Ragwort Pulling Party during the week of April 14-20 is invited to send in a brief report about their event along with any photographs by May 30 for inclusion.

Ragwort is a common weed that grows throughout the British Isles where it thrives on poorly managed pastures, wasteland and road verges from where it can spread onto grazing land. It poses a threat to grazing animals, in particular horses, where the toxins in the weed can result in the onset of chronic, progressive liver failure if ingested, even in small quantities, over a period of time. It can also be potentially harmful to humans, so it is recommended to wear gloves and protect the skin from any contact with the plant.

The BHS Welfare Department can provide advice, posters and advisory literature on the dangers of Ragwort. Defra codes of practice on how to prevent the spread of Common Ragwort and disposal options are also available.

Check out www.bhs.org.uk for more information.