Councillor Bob Spink agrees with what has been written, but has more to add.

He said: "As one who kept ponies for a number of years I had an interest. Ragwort is a bi-ennial, it flowers in the second year of its growth.

"In its growing state it is normally avoided by animals because of its bitter taste and it is not uncommon to see a well-grazed field with the only thing standing and ignored – ragwort.

"The danger comes in its dead or dried state when it becomes more palatable.

"It is said that a couple of kilos can kill a horse, so mixing it even accidentally in any feedstuff such as hay is to be absolutely avoided.
"The natural predator to ragwort is the cinnabar moth, whose larvae feeds voraciously on the plant flowers.

"The huge upsurge of infestation by the weed may be due to a collapse in the moth population, actually caused by a shortage of ragwort some years ago.

"However, many believe that nature's balance will be restored and probably soon, with the emergence of such large numbers of the weed to feed on."

Mr Spink continued: "Handpulling and burning as a control is advocated by many, but that may well be impractical as most wild places - road verges, fallow fields, etc. - are now so heavily infested. Herbicide sprays such as glysophate is effective but usually requires more than one spraying and as well as expensive and time consuming, is environmentally unfriendly."