Following the announcement of the reinstatement of the ability to report ragwort to Natural England, we are hoping to clarify how you can report ragwort, and where various reports should be submitted depending on where you are in the UK. This guide covers the Weeds Act, the reporting procedures in each UK country, what to do if ragwort is on council or authority-owned land, and where to find more information. Farmers and landowners will once again be able to trigger enforcement action on ragwort from 1 April 2026
Why Ragwort Matters
Common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is one of five injurious weeds listed under the Weeds Act 1959. The Act allows authorities to require landowners to take action to prevent the spread of specified weeds, including ragwort, especially where it threatens agricultural land or grazing land used for horses and livestock. Being listed does not make ragwort illegal to grow, but it can trigger enforcement where its spread poses a risk.
Ragwort is highly poisonous to horses and other grazing animals. Its leaves and flowers contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which cause irreversible liver damage if ingested, even in small amounts over time. The risk is particularly high when ragwort is accidentally included in hay or silage, as drying does not neutralise the toxins. Horses may avoid fresh ragwort when grazing, but in confined spaces or mixed forage, ingestion can occur, leading to serious illness or death. For this reason, ragwort is frequently the focus of complaints and control efforts, and managing it on all land accessible to horses is essential for animal welfare.
Find out more about Ragwort poisoning in Horses and Equines
Reporting Procedure in England
In England, landowners or members of the public can make a formal complaint about injurious weeds, including ragwort, to Natural England between 1 April and 30 September using the official complaint form. Before complaining you must contact the landowner or occupier and ask them to remove the weeds, and provide evidence that the issue is extensive and a real risk to grazing or agricultural land, such as photos or correspondence.
If a valid complaint is received, Natural England can write to the landowner requiring them to clear the weeds by a set deadline, typically 14–28 days depending on the season. If the weeds occur where horses or livestock are already kept, this is treated as an animal welfare concern and may be referred to bodies such as APHA, RSPCA, or the British Horse Society rather than Natural England. This complaint process currently only applies to England.
Make a complaint about Ragwort Management if you are in England
Wales
In Wales, ragwort and other injurious weeds are also covered under the Weeds Act 1959, but complaints are handled by Rural Inspectorate Wales (RIW) on behalf of the Welsh Government. RIW will investigate complaints where weeds are at risk of spreading to land used for grazing horses or livestock, forage production, or other agricultural activities. A Code of Practice and guidance on ragwort control are provided to help landowners manage the risk.
Make a complaint about Ragwort Management if you are in Wales
Scotland
In Scotland, the Weeds Act 1959 also applies and gives Scottish Ministers or appointed authorities the power to issue notices requiring ragwort control. However, there is no centralised complaint form or Natural England-style service, but there is management guidance on the Scottish Government website. Enforcement is generally through Scottish Government mechanisms and local authorities, based on whether ragwort poses a risk of spreading to agricultural or grazing lands.
Scottish guidance on preventing the spread of ragwort sets out when action should be taken based on local risk assessments and land use.
Find your local authority in Scotland to make a Ragwort Management complaint
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is governed by the Noxious Weeds (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, under which ragwort and other listed weeds are treated as noxious weeds. Reports about ragwort affecting agricultural land can be made to DAERA’s Plant Health Inspection Branch. Officials may serve notices requiring landowners to control noxious weeds, and failure to comply can lead to penalties or reduction in farm support payments.
Make a complaint about Ragwort Management if you are in Wales
Reporting Ragwort on Commercial or Institutionally Owned Land
If ragwort is found on land owned by a commercial property, business, or an association such as a charity, or a government agency responsible for managing that land, the reporting process is broadly similar to that for privately owned or council land. Concerned individuals should first contact the landowner or managing organisation directly, ideally in writing, providing clear details of the location, photos of the ragwort, and any evidence of potential risk to grazing animals or agricultural land.
For businesses or larger organisations, this may involve reaching out to their environmental or facilities management teams. If the land falls under the remit of statutory bodies such as the Forestry Commission, reports can also be submitted through their official contact channels. Where ragwort poses an immediate risk to horses or livestock, it is advisable to alert animal welfare organisations in addition to the landowner. While the core reporting steps are similar, the scale and responsiveness may vary depending on the organisation, so keeping clear records of correspondence is important.
Ragwort on Council or Authority-Owned Land
When ragwort is growing on public land, such as roadside verges, roundabouts, parks, or council-managed open spaces, local authorities have a responsibility to manage it, particularly where it could spread to grazing or agricultural land. Those concerned about the presence or spread of ragwort should:
-
Report the issue in writing to the relevant local authority, including clear details of the location and any evidence of spread or risk to grazing animals.
-
Contact the council’s environmental or highways department, depending on the type of land affected.
-
Keep copies of correspondence and photos as evidence in case follow-up action is needed.
-
Encourage proactive removal by the authority and, where appropriate, request a timeline for action.
Where ragwort poses an immediate risk to horses or livestock, also alert animal welfare organisations, as animal safety is a priority.
Why Taking Action Matters
The more people who take action to manage and report ragwort, the more effective we can be in controlling this poisonous weed. All landowners have a responsibility to prevent the spread of ragwort, and this is particularly critical for those who own or manage land housing equines or growing forage for equines. Those managing land with horses or livestock should have a clear policy for regularly inspecting and removing ragwort to protect animal welfare and reduce the risk of contamination in grazing and forage. Proactive reporting and management help safeguard both animals and neighbouring agricultural land, making everyone’s efforts more effective.