Calls to root out the pretty yellow peril that's out of control

By peter smith peter.smith@thepostandtimes.co.uk

A POISONOUS plant which could prove fatal to horses, cattle or small children is "flourishing" on road sides and next to farmers' fields.

Thousands of pretty but dangerous yellow-flowered ragwort have sprouted in the countryside around Uttoxeter this summer.

Now the highly-toxic plant has been spotted in the town itself, including several patches coming through crumbling concrete at the Hockley Road entrance to the old JCB Heavy Products factory.

Calls have now been made for Staffordshire County Council to stop the quick-spreading weed growing on public land.

Ragwort can cause progressive and irreversible liver damage to animals when eaten either fresh or particularly when dried in hay.

Humans and pets can also be at risk of severe poisoning through either direct contact or the consumption of contaminated food.

Uttoxeter mayor and Loxley farmer David Brookes said: "Ragwort has not been adequately weeded for a number of years and now it is out of control.

"Farmers can try and look after their own ground but we would need a fully-dedicated team to clear it from the side of the highways. Unfortunately, the situation is only going to get worse. It is very poisonous, especially to horses."

Simon Spencer, Uttoxeter NFU branch agent, was concerned while farmers could be prosecuted for ragwort growing on their own land, it had been left to spread freely over public space.

He said: "Our forebears and predecessors in the 1940s and 50s would be aghast. This simply would not have been accepted back then.

"Utilities companies and the county council have let it get out of hand and now we have a big problem on our hands. Quite often the public will not realise just how dangerous it can be. Highways teams try and tackle it with a lawnmower but that just chops it up – it needs to be pulled out by the roots else it just comes back even worse."

Denstone farmer David Boden admitted it was an ongoing task to keep on top of any ragwort problem. He said: "There is by far and away more around in certain areas than we have ever seen before, especially along the A50 and new roads or developments where soil has been disturbed. We are sure to pull up and burn any ragwort we find because although it is bitter and poisonous when it is alive, it can taste sweet when dead and be just as dangerous."

Staffordshire County Council has asked the public to help police the spread of ragwort.

A spokesman said: "The plant seems only to affect horses; cattle will not eat it and I hope we could rely on parental responsibility to stop young children eating it. It should not be dangerous to people.

"We do not have any ragwort eradication programme but if we are alerted to a problem on council-owned land we will address it.

"But we would urge farmers to help take responsibility and if they spot a patch of ragwort, pull it up by the roots before it spreads."

JCB's estates manager attended the Hockley Road site minutes after being contacted by the Post & Times on Wednesday to deal immediately with the ragwort. A spokesman said: "We are grateful it has been brought to our attention."