horse owners rid ragwort cos its poisonous to all. why does the gov't still grow theres on the mways & verges?

Question

ragwort grows and spreads like wildfire especially on the motorway. its very poisonous to touch/consume to humans and animals. it can cause liver failure. its covered by the poisonous plant act. if a poor farmer is seen to grow it they get fined. you cannot get rid of it by just pulling by hand you have to either sray it or dig it up by the root. you need to wear special gloves etc. unyet the people who look after the mways and local verges just cut it therefore encouraging it to spread and grow. it usually goes in the poor farmers field. it causes liver damage - severe if consumed by touch or ingested. why do they ignore this wild plant???????

Answer 1

I can see you know about this sometimes deadly weed, I know some have it as a wild flower, but it is an extremely poisonous weed. when you see it in peoples gardens, i think it is a lack of knowledge.
Many councils have a program to rid the parks of this weed, but the highways come under the highways commission.
I have found this short article that others might like to read.


Ragwort

Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea, hereafter referred to as ragwort) contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are poisonous to horses, other farm animals such as sheep and cattle and also to wild animals such as hare and deer. It is important for horse owners and horse pasture owners to recognise and control this potentially fatal plant.

Unfortunately, some horse-keepers do not control ragwort growth and spread as they do not expect their horses to eat the plant and probably don't appreciate the reality of the suffering their animals could be caused. It is true that ragwort does have a bitter taste which often deters horses from eating it. However, if grass becomes sparse (e.g. following a period of hot dry weather) horses may resort to eating plants they wouldn't normally eat, including ragwort if it is present. Some horses develop a liking for the bitter taste and may choose to eat it even when there is sufficient palatable grass available to graze on. If eaten, as little as 2lb of fresh ragwort can be sufficient to cause fatal damage. Uncontrolled ragwort left growing in and around horse pastures exposes horses and ponies to poisoning and possibly death, and the infestation will increase each year as plants set seed.
"Daddy Dave"

Answer 2

there's only one hope for depression. That is an effective anti depressant medication. Depression comes from a checmical imbalance in the neurotransmitters and the brain and nothing in the world will alleviate unless you compensate for it. The right medication will do it. When you're depressed, you're unable to interact with a therapist by talking or be with or around anyone so talk therapy won't work. Being around people is a waste because the loss of interest makes it difficult to tolerate company and again, verbal interaction. You will have no desire for pets or taking care of animals as it's too labor intensive, too complex and your mind can't handle it. Excercise requires motivation which you have none. Until you can compensate for the chemical imbalance that's causing the depression and anxiety, none of these suggestions are useful.. Once you regain your sense of motivation and desire to do things, only then can any interaction or activity possibly help feel good.. There are ssri's, snri's mao inhibitors and trycyclic anti depressants. Some work better than others depending on the individdual. It is frustrating until you find one that works well with tolerable side effects. If none of these are ever an option, try ect (shock therapy)l

Answer 3

I actually saw a bloke in a Highways Agency's lorry pulling out Ragwort yesterday on the verge next to the M56, he wasn't wearing gloves though...

Oh well, its his Liver...

Answer 4

By putting your grievance on paper and mailing it to your congressman with as many signatures as possible (keep a photo-stat of the letter).

Also, write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper...and, of course send a copy to the E.P.A. and any and all agencies you feel should respond to the matter.

Remember, when it comes to government, the squeaky wheel gets the oil !

Answer 5

One word. Money. It would cost a huge amount to clear it from all verges around the country. It would only be a short-term measure anyway, as it would spread back quite quickly.

Answer 6

It's the same as any weed. Seeds get blown in the wind and land up anywhere.

In Cornwall, the county council is trying to kill off the Japanese Knotweed.

Answer 7

just think how much it would cost the tax payers to remove it all by digging it up. They dont spend enough on the condition of the roads which can lead to people getting killed and you want to spend it on saving some horses? hmmmmm

Answer 8

Here in West Sussex the county council are clearing it from their road verges.
It needs complaints to councilors.

Answer 9

because the local councils are failing to met there legal requirements you need to complain to your local MP

Answer 10

I agree. They should have community programs to help permanently get rid of it.