Horse owners can prevent ragwort poisoning

(11.08.2004) Veterinary Scientists at the University of Liverpool are to participate in "Root Out Ragwort Week” to emphasise that animal and land-owners must prevent Ragwort poisoning.

Ragwort poisoning can be prevented and it is the responsibility of horse, cattle and land owners everywhere to ensure that this weed is eliminated urgently. To coincide with "Root Out Ragwort Week” (29 July to 6 August), this message is being reinforced by Professor Derek Knottenbelt, Head of The Division of Equine Studies at the University of Liverpool, and Brigadier Paul Jepson, Director of The Home of Rest for Horses in Buckinghamshire.

Ragwort is highly toxic to grazing animals, but particularly to horses, in which it causes progressive and accumulative liver damage that cannot be repaired naturally. "Ragwort is dangerous and can kill,” says Professor Knottenbelt. "Death is slow and very distressing, but it can be prevented.

We have to make horse, cattle and land owners responsible - they have to eliminate (if necessary by pulling out) the ragwort weeds from horse and cattle fields and it must be done urgently. There is no excuse - ragwort seeds can survive for up to 30 years and we must monitor what horses are eating. Customers of feed manufacturers must play their part as well and advise them if their feed is contaminated so that they can take the necessary action.”

As a result of a grant of £50,000 from The Home of Rest for Horses in Buckinghamshire, research is continuing into a blood test which is being developed for the early detection of ragwort poisoning in equines. To date there is no cure for ragwort poisoning, and prevention is therefore the only sensible way forward.

Paul Jepson has no doubt about the importance of funding this research programme. "With the ragwort weed spreading so alarmingly, we feel that it's a matter of deep concern and needs urgent action,” he says. "This blood test enables horse owners to take regular screenings over a period of time and to catch ragwort poisoning early before serious damage occurs.”

The elimination of ragwort also has Government support. The Ragwort Control Act, which came into force in February this year, provides a Code of Practice for landowners and occupiers to prevent the spread of what is the most common cause of poisoning of grazing animals in the United Kingdom

http://www.liv.ac.uk

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