Horse owners and welfare charities are voicing concern following a policy shift that means Natural England is not currently taking on new ragwort complaints.
Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is highly toxic to horses, cattle, and other livestock, causing liver damage and even death if ingested fresh or dried. Until recently, complaints about the weed’s spread and removal were overseen by Natural England under the Weeds Act 1959 and Ragwort Control Act 2003.
The British Horse Society (BHS) says it is “disappointed” by the change and fears the impact on horse welfare, particularly where ragwort spreads into grazing land or forage fields. The organisation has pledged to continue raising awareness among horse owners and will lobby government to ensure high-risk areas are properly managed.
Natural England has not given detailed comment but confirms on its website that it is “not currently dealing with any new injurious weeds complaints at this time.”
The BHS emphasises that while ragwort has ecological value in the wild, its presence in grazing areas poses a serious danger. The charity is urging concerned horse owners to contact their MPs to help bring the issue to national attention.
While national policy is debated, every horse owner and yard owner can play their part by staying vigilant, managing their land responsibly, and taking practical steps to reduce and remove ragwort from grazing and forage areas to protect the welfare of their horses.
Read the guidance on Ragwort and general grazing maintenance on the Yard Owner Hub