Equestrian yard owners, grazing managers and rural landowners will once again be able to trigger official enforcement action against uncontrolled ragwort from neighbouring land, following a reversal of policy by Natural England.
From 1 April 2026, Natural England will reopen its complaints process under the Weeds Act 1959, restoring a key protection that had been effectively removed earlier in 2025. The decision follows sustained pressure from the Countryside Alliance and growing concern from the farming and equestrian sectors.
A step back from earlier 2025 changes
In September 2025, Natural England quietly suspended the acceptance of new complaints under the Weeds Act, despite remaining the statutory enforcement authority in England. This left horse owners and grazing tenants unable to compel neighbouring landowners to control ragwort at source, even where it was spreading onto paddocks, hay fields or livery land.
The suspension represented a significant departure from long-standing enforcement arrangements and was widely criticised as undermining existing legislation designed to protect livestock. For equestrian premises, the impact was immediate: ragwort is highly toxic to horses, particularly when dried in hay or haylage, and its spread presents a serious welfare and legal risk.
Why the Weeds Act matters to horse owners
The Weeds Act 1959 exists to prevent the spread of injurious weeds, most notably common ragwort. While landowners are responsible for managing weeds on their own land, the Act provides an essential safeguard when weeds spread from adjacent land.
Until the 2025 suspension, affected horse owners could submit a complaint to Natural England, triggering an investigation and, where necessary, enforcement action requiring the source land to be controlled. Without this mechanism, equestrian businesses were left absorbing the cost and risk of ragwort control caused by others.
Political pressure forces a rethink
Concerns escalated after a case involving ragwort spread from neighbouring land highlighted the lack of any enforcement route. The issue was subsequently raised in Parliament by Liberal Democrat MP Dr Roz Savage, who sought clarification from Defra on Natural England’s withdrawal from new complaints.
At the time, the government described the suspension as a “temporary measure” while Natural England reviewed its approach to injurious weeds, a justification that drew criticism given that the Weeds Act already operates a defined off-season from October to March.
The Countryside Alliance questioned why the review could not have taken place during this existing non-enforcement period, rather than removing protections mid-season.
Complaints process to reopen in 2026
Following continued pressure, government guidance has now been updated to confirm that Natural England will resume accepting new complaints.
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Complaints will be accepted between 1 April and 30 October 2026
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The existing off-season will remain in place
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Natural England has stated it will aim to respond to valid complaints within 10 working days
This marks a clear backtrack on the earlier 2025 position and restores a vital enforcement pathway for equestrian land managers.
What this means for equestrian premises
For riding schools, livery yards, breeders and private horse owners, the reopening of the complaints process provides renewed legal backing where ragwort poses a threat to horse health, forage safety and land use.
However, sector bodies have warned that confidence will only be restored if enforcement is applied consistently and resourced properly. The Countryside Alliance has said it will continue to monitor Natural England’s handling of complaints to ensure equestrian and agricultural landowners are not again left without recourse.
For now, the decision represents a welcome, if delayed, recognition of the importance of existing legislation and the serious risks that injurious weeds pose to horses and those responsible for their care.