Ragwort A303

[llamedos]

http://www.aht.org.uk/skins/Default/pdfs/DEFRA_report4q_2014.pdf#page=14

 

[kernowcluck]

I believe the reason why there are not more deaths from ragwort poisoning is that those making hay, Haylage et cetera are more careful to eradicate ragwort from standing grass, whilst many pony Paddocks are an absolute disgrace but the horses will only eat it as a last resort.

 

[RAW24]

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-the-spread-of-harmful-invasive-and-non-native-plants

Complain about harmful weeds
Contact the responsible landowner or occupier and ask them to prevent any weeds that are spreading on to your land and that are controlled by law.

If the landowner or occupier fails to take action, send the injurious weeds complaint form (PDF, 346KB, 4 pages) to:

Natural England
PO Box 2423
Reading
RG1 6WY

Telephone: 0300 060 1112

Email: [email protected] (marked: ‘Weeds Act’)

How Natural England will respond to your complaint
Natural England will only take action if weeds are threatening land used for one of the following:

• keeping or grazing horses and other livestock
• farmland used to produce conserved forage (eg, silage and hay)
• agriculture

Natural England will take the following steps:

• write to the landowner to ask them to remove the weeds - the landowner will be given 2 weeks to take action during the summer months
• write to you, to ask if they have been removed
• decide whether enforcement action should be taken if the weeds aren’t removed (eg arrange for the Rural Payment Agency to visit the site and, if appropriate, issue an enforcement notice)

Natural England will usually respond to a valid complaint form within 24 hours. Contact Natural England to find out what they’ve done about your complaint - they’ll share information with you by copying correspondence. The landowner can’t appeal a decision by Natural England to take action about weeds.

I contacted Natural England about my neighbours 13 acre field of himayalian balsam. They referred me to the council. The council surprisingly have been very helpful and called to see my neighbour and threatened them with action if something was not done about it. Field topped yesterday and to be sprayed in spring. Result.

 

[jondear]

Pulled a bit yesterday ment to do it a while ago it's on pile of hardcore that's been there a few years.Didnt realise how it blows in wind like thistle seeds!

 

[nails]

Well i would agree that pony paddocks are particularly bad, but i am rather surprised at the amount of ragwort in farmers fields destined for mowing. The verges round here are a disgrace and chain gangs out the prisons should be put to work pulling it up.

 

[llamedos]

I contacted Natural England about my neighbours 13 acre field of himayalian balsam. They referred me to the council. The council surprisingly have been very helpful and called to see my neighbour and threatened them with action if something was not done about it. Field topped yesterday and to be sprayed in spring. Result.

Our council spent thousands sending out graduates to map the Balsam, all around public paths and the borough rivers, that was it.
There is a nature reserve locally, where it is actively encouraged, I used to have some land which bordered it, and was asked not to pull it. You can guess my answer.

 

[PostHarvest]

Last week, I met a visitor from New Zealand. He described the Ragwort infestation throughout the UK as a national disgrace. I certainly agree with him. IMO Network Rail and the Highways Agency are as responsible as anyone. I've tried to get sense out of the Highways Agency, but they refer me on to their contractor who refers me to the local council. Olympic class buck passing in action.

 

[roscoe erf]

I was ashamed of the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course.

Anyone remember this?

View attachment 376998

yes he could of worn a shirt

 

[onthehoof]

I have never seen it so bad either.
What you have to remember with RW is that, this years flower is the result of not last years seed, but the year prior to that.
It does not flower in its first year, it only grows to rosette stage.

There is also a later flowering type of ragwort think it's called Hoary ragwort, just starting to flower now has slightly spikier leaves and is a lot harder to pull out as it usually snaps off halfway up

 

[Exfarmer]

Last week, I met a visitor from New Zealand. He described the Ragwort infestation throughout the UK as a national disgrace. I certainly agree with him. IMO Network Rail and the Highways Agency are as responsible as anyone. I've tried to get sense out of the Highways Agency, but they refer me on to their contractor who refers me to the local council. Olympic class buck passing in action.

I dont think the Kiwi's have anything to shout about. I was shocked at how much much our Southern cousins were growing

 

[glasshouse]

The f.uckwits in govt etc dont realise how much chemical use could be reduced if ragwort was controlled.
one yrs seed, 7 yrs weed

 

[glasshouse]

I dont think the Kiwi's have anything to shout about. I was shocked at how much much our Southern cousins were growing

But they just blame us for the gorse, ragwort, brambles, thistles etc

 

[FonterraFarmer]

Last week, I met a visitor from New Zealand. He described the Ragwort infestation throughout the UK as a national disgrace. I certainly agree with him. IMO Network Rail and the Highways Agency are as responsible as anyone. I've tried to get sense out of the Highways Agency, but they refer me on to their contractor who refers me to the local council. Olympic class buck passing in action.

Are you sure he said "national" disgrace or was another word used?

 

[FonterraFarmer]

But they just blame us for the gorse, ragwort, brambles, thistles etc

You forgot "blackberry" and we do blame you for ragwort and thistles too

 

[exmoor dave]

You forgot "blackberry" and we do blame you for ragwort and thistles too

I may be be wrong..... but I think ragwort is a foreign invader to the UK as well if you go far enough back


Oh and the type of gorse you know and love I believe is what we know as European gorse....... another invader to these shores which just so got passed on to kiwi land from us


So all in all........ nothin' is our fault
It's all some other buggers fault

 

[glasshouse]

You forgot "blackberry" and we do blame you for ragwort and thistles too

i didnt forget, brambles are blackberries in scotland

 

[glasshouse]

I may be be wrong..... but I think ragwort is a foreign invader to the UK as well if you go far enough back


Oh and the type of gorse you know and love I believe is what we know as European gorse....... another invader to these shores which just so got passed on to kiwi land from us


So all in all........ nothin' is our fault
It's all some other buggers fault

dont forget the rabbits

 

[organic]

Powys County Council staff were clearing Ragwort from roadside near Felinfach, Brecon one day last week.

 

[FonterraFarmer]

dont forget the rabbits

I just didn't write rabbits and possums, you can take responsibilty for them too, ops ,possums come from Australia

 

[FonterraFarmer]

I may be be wrong..... but I think ragwort is a foreign invader to the UK as well if you go far enough back


Oh and the type of gorse you know and love I believe is what we know as European gorse....... another invader to these shores which just so got passed on to kiwi land from us


So all in all........ nothin' is our fault
It's all some other buggers fault

Yes, but have you seen how bloody tall it grows over here???