Ragwort

SUMMARY

In Detail

Seeds are spread by:

• Each plant producing thousands of seeds
• Dispersed mainly by the wind
• Movement of contaminated soil
• Poor management strategies

Seeds can remain dormant in the soil for several years and will germinate only as and when conditions are suitable for growth.

Identification:

• First year - dense rosettes close to ground
• Second year 30-100cm high, woody stems, dark green leaves
• Bright yellow densely packed flowers May to October
• Biennial
• If cut or mown, will act as perennial

Read more about Ragwort

Legislation

The Weeds Act 1959

Common ragwort is one of the five weeds to be included within The Weeds Act 1959. This act empowers the retrospective ministers to serve notice requiring the occupier of land to take action to prevent the spread of those weeds. Any unreasonable failure to comply with the notice is an offence.

The Weeds Act 1959 also enables DEFRA to investigate complaints where there is a risk that injurious weeds might spread. This is as a priority if the weeds are spreading onto land that is used for grazing, forage production and other agricultural activities.

The Ragwort Control Act 2003

The Ragwort Control Act 2003 came into force on in February 2004 and allowed for the production of the ‘Code of Practice’. This Code of Practice does not seek to eradicate ragwort but help to prevent the spread of ragwort onto land used for horses, livestock and forage production.

Responsibility to Control the Spread of Ragwort

The responsibility for the control of ragwort rests with the occupier of the land. It is expected that all landowners and occupiers will take responsibility to ensure the effective control of the spread of ragwort.

The code of Practice advises that the most effective way to prevent the spread of ragwort is to prelude its establishment through the strategic management rather than last minute control.

Action should be taken to prevent its spread when ragwort poses a high risk to land used for grazing or forage production. The Code of Practice outlines 3 categories; high, medium or low as guidelines for assessing the risk.

• High Risk – Ragwort is present and flowering/seeding within 50m of land used for grazing or forage production. Immediate action to control the ragwort must be taken.

• Medium Risk – Ragwort is present and flowering/seeding within 50m to 100m of the land used for grazing or for forage production. In this case the occupier must put together an action pan and control policy.

• Low Risk – Ragwort is present and flowering/seeding from land used 100m from land used for grazing or forage production. Although no immediate action to control the ragwort needs to be taken, the distances above are only used as guidelines for assessing the risk. At JKSL our surveyors are fully trained at assessing risk and factoring all the relevant circumstances such as topography, natural barriers, vegetation etc.

Control and Removal of Common Ragwort

The control of ragwort will be dictated around the risk category and the current land use. The management of a grazed pasture will treated with a different methodology to that of a road side verge. In most cases a single application or control method will not be effective. Below are some of the control methods that can be used.

Cutting:

• This can be used as last resort in order to prevent reseeding. It is essential that plants are cut before flowering begins.
• Cutting can stimulate growth and cause the plant to re flower later in the season.
• Cutting at early flowering stage may reduce seed production, but is not generally a recommended method as it does not destroy the plant.
• Cut plants remain toxic.

Pulling/Digging

• Hand pulling or digging can be practical when tackling ragwort over a small area. Over larger areas machine pulling may be required.
• Hand pulling can provide a long term control without the need of chemicals.
• It is essential that as much root system as possible is removed, as ragwort can regenerate from root fragments.
• Pulled plants must be disposed of accordingly.

Chemical treatment

• Herbicide must only be applied by fully NPTC trained operatives.
• Method of application will depend on factors such as size of area to be treated, the current use of the land, density of infestation etc..
• Herbicide treatment can be time efficient and an effective treatment method.

Other treatment options

• In some cases a spot burner can be used at rosette stage of the plants growth. However, there are risks involved in this method and consideration will need to be considered to the potential damage that may be done to surrounding vegetation and the risks of fire.
• Biological control aims to control the ragwort through using the plants natural enemies to weaken and suppress ragwort populations. Biological control is not always feasible on all sites and is not a standalone methodology.

Ragwort Disposal

Ragwort remains toxic when dried and can be become more palatable to horses and livestock. Ragwort is also able to go to seed even after it has been pulled or cut. Ragwort should therefore be disposed of in a careful manor and should only be transported in sealed bags or containers.

There are a few different methods of disposal, selection will vary depending on sites, quantity of material etc..

What to do?

There are many different approaches in tackling Ragwort. Whichever methodology is used it is essential that all works are in accordance to the Code of Practice. The key to any successful control technique is a good grass and soil management practice.

If you have concerns over ragwort on your land and are unsure of your legal responsibilities please contact our specialist surveyors.