Ragwort

Ragwort is a native species of the British Isles. It is a specified weed under the Weeds Act 1959. It contains toxins which can have debilitating or fatal consequences if eaten by horses and other grazing animals. Ragwort is less likely to be rejected by stock if dried and contamination of forage (hay, haylage and silage) is a particular problem.

Humans may be at risk from ragwort poisoning through direct contact (e.g. hand pulling) or the consumption of contaminated food. Research undertaken for the Government in the 1990s suggested that the risk to human health in the UK through the contamination of staple foods i.e. grain, milk, eggs and honey is likely to be insufficient to cause serious harm.

Ragwort is a highly successful species and in certain situations it can be difficult to control particularly where it has not been effectively managed for a number of years. As a result it might be necessary to use a variety of control methods over an extended period to reduce populations if, on the basis of a risk assessment, they have been found to be problematic.

Ragwort Report

Examples of Ragwort: