British Horse Society welcomes Ragwort Code Minister for the Horse to present strategy document at Royal Show

The British Horse Society (BHS) will be host to the Rt Hon Alun Michael, Minister for Rural Affairs and Minister for the Horse, at its stand at the Royal Show today (4 July). The Minister will be presenting the eagerly awaited 'Code of Practice on how to control Ragwort' during his visit.

The code is the first document of its kind to provide a strategy whereby landowners and occupiers can form an effective policy on Common Ragwort control. Ragwort kills an estimated 500 - 1000 horses every year and by following the code the risk of equines ingesting the poisonous plant will be minimised.

At the presentation Mr Michael said, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to launch the code. This is a good practice guide that aims to significantly reduce the risk that horses and other livestock might be poisoned.

"The emphasis is on protecting horses, whose digestive system makes them particularly vulnerable but the plant also plays a valuable role in our countryside ecosystem, being the food plant for more than 70 species of insects most notably the cinnabar moth. I urge all landowners and land managers to work with horse and animal owners to adopt the code."

Graham Cory, BHS Chief Executive, added, "This is a splendid example of what can happen when the horse industry, led by the BHS, works cooperatively with the Government. We trust that not only landowners but horse owners too will abide by the code in order to protect horses from the terrible consequences of Ragwort poisoning."

.