News

ACTION ON HORSE KILLER WEED

Hawkinge Parish Councillors were asked to take some action on the spread of the notifiable weed Ragwort at the meeting of the Council tonight (10 August).

They agreed to contact Shepway District Council with a view to controlling the weed from areas of the village. It is particularly prevalent in the Spitfire Way area of Hawkinge.

Ragwort is one of five injurious weeds covered by the provisions of The Weeds Act 1959. It is poisonous to horses, ponies, donkeys and other livestock, and causes liver damage, which can have potentially fatal consequences. Under the Weeds Act 1959, the Secretary of State may serve an enforcement notice on the occupier of land on which injurious weeds are growing, requiring the occupier to take action to prevent their spread.

The adoption of the Ragwort Control Act on 20 November 2003 marked an important step forward in the protection of equine welfare. It enabled the Secretary of State to make a Code of Practice to prevent the spread of Ragwort. 

The Code is particularly relevant for large scale organisations, including local authorities and public bodies.

It does not seek to eradicate ragwort, and it is important to remember that where there is no threat to animal welfare, Common Ragwort makes an important contribution to the biodiversity of the countryside.