PR 347 APPENDIX 3

COUNTY COUNCIL BACKS RAGWORT CAMPAIGN

Hampshire County Council is backing the British Horse Society's Ragwort Action Week (21-27 July) - and urging landowners to `do their bit' to keep the deadly weed in check.

Ragwort is a significant problem, particularly in the New Forest, and it can cause a painful and protracted death from liver damage when eaten by livestock.

The difficulty comes because the County Council is responsible only for removing the weed from highway verges - something it has been doing since last month as part of its annual removal programme, at a cost of around £15,000 so far this year. It cannot operate effectively in isolation however, and is calling on all landowners to take action to get rid of ragwort on their land.

The County Council's Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Keith Estlin, said: "Ragwort is a menace to livestock, but as it's a native weed and seeds can lay dormant for up to 20 years eradication is unlikely, however hard we all try.

"It goes without saying that ragwort doesn't recognise boundaries, and the County Council is fighting an uphill battle against this pernicious weed. It's a community problem, and while we will do all we can to keep it in check on highway verges through cutting and pulling, this represents a tiny fraction of land infested with ragwort. We really do rely on landowners and parish councils to play an active role in dealing with it.

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"It's an issue we continue to take very seriously, but one we cannot combat on our own. We're working with the Forestry Commission - which has also started its removal programme on Crown land - I have written to John Greenway MP in support of his ragwort Private Members Bill, and the County Council has offered to assist DEFRA in the preparation of a Code of Practice.

"The County Council's ragwort removal programme will continue at least through August and into September if needed. I urge all landowners in the New Forest to do their bit to control this harmful weed."

ENDS

For further information please contact: Sarette Martin on 01962 847666

[email protected]

22/07/2003