An Interactive Guide to Dealing With Ragwort in Wales

Before you start, remember:

At no point should you ever try to enter railway lines or motorway verges to check for ragwort.
The landowner’s permission must always be obtained before going onto other land.
It’s advisable to wear protective gloves and a face mask if handling ragwort.
This guide relates to Common Ragwort. The Weeds Act (1959) only applies to Common Ragwort. It’s not an offence for ragwort to grow in certain areas, but spread of ragwort onto high-risk land (see below) is an offence. If land you own has ragwort, and it’s either at risk of spreading to high-risk land or your land is occupied by horses, you must act now to remove the ragwort.

Start

1. Are you sure the plant is Common Ragwort?

Yes

Refer to Identifying Ragwort

2. Is the ragwort growing in fields used for grazing horses?

Yes

The BHS Welfare team has a network of Welfare Advisers and Field Officers.

The BHS will aim to resolve the concern by working with the horse owner/keeper or landowner in an advisory capacity. If you’re concerned about horses grazing in fields with ragwort, contact the team on:

02476 840517 or
welfare@bhs.org.uk

3. Is the ragwort growing within 50 metres of land used by horses/livestock OR land used for forage production?

Yes

4. Is the ragwort growing within 50-100 metres of land used by horses/livestock OR land used for forage production?

Yes

The land is classified
as medium risk.

A high risk is posed to animals grazing within 50 metres of where ragwort is growing, but it's more effective if ragwort is controlled up to 100 metres from any eligible land at risk to help prevent its spread.

Discuss the risk with the landowners/occupiers. They should continue to monitor the situation and put controls in place if necessary.

The land is classified
as low risk.

Consider making the landowners/occupiers aware if spread increases. It would be in their interests to take action as part of a contingency plan if necessary.

The land is certified
as high risk!

Immediate action to remove the weed from this area and control its spread must be taken by the landowner.

4. Is the ragwort growing on privately-owned land?

Yes

The Welsh Government's Code of Practice to Prevent and Control the Spread of Ragwort has full details of the actions that complainants should take.

When a potential problem is identified, the landowner/occupier should be contacted first. For instances where ragwort issues cannot be resolved contact the Natural Environment and Agriculture Team of the Welsh Government on 0300 0622306 or submit an official complaint form directly to the Rural Inspectorate Wales - see code of practice for details.

The Rural Inspectorate Wales may take enforcement action under the Weeds Act 1959 where ragwort poses a high risk to horses/livestock or the production of conserved forage.

5. Is the ragwort growing on parish, community or council-owned land?

Yes

The relevant parish, town or community council are responsible.

Find your Local Authority’s details at www.wlga.gov.uk

6. Is the ragwort growing by the side of a national railway/motorway/trunk road?

Yes

Railways
Network Rail is responsible.
Contact: 03457 114141
networkrail.co.uk

Motorways / Trunk Roads
The Welsh Government has delegated responsibility (for both types of road) for the maintenance and operation to Local Authority Trunk Road Agents:

The North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent
01286 685186
nmwtra.org.uk

The South Wales Trunk Road Agent
0300 1231213
swtra.co.uk

But it’s still by a road

It's not by a road

Potential Contacts

Canal and River Trust
canalrivertrust.org.uk

Ministry of Defence Land
Contact the local base directly

Common Land
Contact the local council or private landowner

Forestry Land
Natural Resources Wales will be responsible
naturalresources.wales

8. Is the road privately owned?

Yes

The Welsh Government's Code of Practice to Prevent and Control the Spread of Ragwort has full details of the actions that complainants should take.

When a potential problem is identified, the landowner/occupier should be contacted first. For instances where ragwort issues cannot be resolved contact the Plant Health and Environment Protection Branch for advice on 0300 0622306 or submit an official complaint form directly to the Rural Inspectorate Wales - see code of practice for details.

The Rural Inspectorate Wales may take enforcement action under the Weeds Act 1959 where ragwort poses a high risk to horses/livestock or the production of conserved forage.

The relevant local Highway Authority is responsible.

Find your local authority’s details at www.wlga.gov.uk

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Ragwort