§ Lord Bradshawasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking to control the spread of ragwort. [HL4071]
§ Baroness HaymanRagwort is specified as an injurious weed under the Weeds Act 1959. Under the Act, MAFF is empowered to serve notice on any occupier of land requiring that person to control the spread of ragwort. For many years MAFF's priority has been to investigate complaints where ragwort threatens agriculturally based businesses.
However, in view of the lead responsibility MAFF now has for most issues relating to horses, careful thought is being given, in conjunction with equine interests, to how best to operate the Weeds Act in future while recognising that there may be considerable resource implications in any extension of the current policy.