Deadly plant threatens livestock

David Knox • Published 26 Aug 2011 09:30 3 Comments

A DEADLY weed has taken over roadside verges across Peeblesshire.

And Tweeddale councillor Catriona Bhatia is demanding that the local authority takes urgent steps to combat the spread of ragwort.

The lethal plant can kill horses and other livestock as well as wild animals, such as hare and deer.

Under the Weeds Act of 1959, it is a legal requirements for councils to remove the plant from any land under its ownership, including roadside verges and scrubland.

But over the past few weeks the yellow flowered plant has popped up all over the region. Councillor Bhatia told the Peeblesshire News: "Scottish Borders Council has a responsibility to get rid of this plant. I have been contacted by many horse owners who are deeply concerned about its spread this year - it's everywhere. I don't recall ever seeing so much ragwort and nothing appears to be done about it."

Almost all landowners in the area adhere to the regulations by destroying the deadly plants before it can harm animals.

Common ragwort contains poisonous pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can kill horses, sheep and cattle when eaten.

Councillor Bhatia raised the issue yesterday (Thursday) at the full meeting of Scottish Borders Council.

Spokesman for environmental services, Len Wyse, said: "As a land owner, and as a roads authority, the council has certain responsibilities to maintain land and, on occasion, that may involve removal of ragwort.

"The council deals with ragwort on an ad hoc basis, reacting to areas of public concern or reported areas of high outbreak throughout the Borders area."

Anyone who notices outbreaks of ragwort should contact Scottish Borders Council.

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• 

  thepoisongarden
  Unregistered User
  Aug 27, 08:48
  Report comment

  'Under the Weeds Act of 1959, it is a legal requirements for councils to remove the plant from any land under its ownership, including roadside verges and scrubland.'
  
  No, no ,no, no, no.
  
  When will newspapers start to actually do some research rather than just publishing ill-informed rantings?
  
  The Weeds Act requires landowners to control five specified plants to ensure they are not likely to end up being eaten by farm animals.
  
  The DEFRA website provides access to the Code of Practice for the Control of Ragwort and anyone with land, or anyone planning to write about ragwort, should get a copy.
  
  The reality is that hysteria about ragwort can lead to people taking actions that will INCREASE its spread.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 9     No 25

• 

  horselover
  Unregistered User
  Aug 27, 10:09
  Report comment

  people served community service orders by our courts could be trained and under supervision could serve the community by getting this problem sorted
  
  Recommend?   Yes 50     No 1

• 

  dailydogwalker
  Unregistered User
  Oct 1, 10:56
  Report comment

  Ragwort is a very real danger to livestock and only by anyone with ragwort on their land doing something to help control it will we ever manage to reduce the spread and the risk. This weeks letter regarding the 'waste of council money' and' it isn't really a risk to livestock' should maybe try dealing with an animal with ragwort poisoning. It is a heartbreaking and unnecessary fact that it does happen and I've seen it first hand.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 1

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