Support Ragwort Awareness Week - request your Ragfork NOW!

The British Horse Society Welfare Department is urging people to help prevent the spread of Ragwort during the first Ragwort Awareness Week of 2008, which runs from 14-20 April 2008.

 

The Society is calling for volunteers to organise Ragwort Pulling Parties to remove the deadly weed where it is growing on or near to grazing land.

 

Ragfork have generously sponsored Ragwort Awareness Week and have donated 50 Ragforks to be delivered free of charge to those wishing to take part in the BHS Ragwort Pulling Parties.

 

The BHS Welfare Department can provide advice, posters and flyers to advertise your event as well as 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.

 

Lee Hackett, BHS Welfare Senior Executive, said: "Every year the BHS receive hundreds of calls and emails from concerned horse owners requiring advice on how to control Ragwort. This is an important time of year to control Ragwort, while it is still at the rosette stage in order to help prevent the weed spreading further."

 

Those holding Ragwort Pulling Parties are invited to send in a brief report about their event along with photos for inclusion in the BHS magazine, British Horse, by 30 May 2008.

 

The BHS advises that you always wear thick, waterproof gloves when handling ragwort and to protect your skin from contact with the weed. It is also sensible to wear a facemask. Please ensure that you have permission from the owner of the land before embarking on any ragwort pulls.

 

 

For more information and advice on Ragwort or to request a Ragfork for your event, please contact: Rachel Molloy, BHS Executive Welfare, The British Horse Society, 01926 707807 or r.molloy@bhs.org.uk

 

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

 

 

The British Horse Society is a charity and membership organisation. It has a membership of more than 106,000 (including British Riding Clubs). Membership information can be obtained on 0844 848 1666.

Ragwort is a common weed that grows throughout the British Isles. It thrives on poorly managed pastures, wasteland and road verges, and from these locations it can spread to grazing land.

Ragwort poses a threat to grazing animals, particularly horses. The toxins in the weed are cumulative, only small quantities need to be consumed over a period of time, this can result in the onset of chronic, progressive liver failure.

The potential dangers of Ragwort to human health are also starting to be recognised, and due to this we strongly recommend wearing gloves and protecting your skin from any contact with the plant.

We do not seek to eradicate this plant but to control it where it poses a threat to the welfare of animals. So help us fight the battle against the spread of Ragwort.

 

April 1st, 2008