The British Horse Society (BHS) is taking a stand against the poisonous plant ragwort with a nationwide survey to assess the scale of the threat.

In the survey – which takes place during Ragwort Awareness Week (July 12-18) – respondents will be asked to provide information on where they have spotted ragwort, the density of growth and approximately how many animals — including sheep, cattle and horses — are grazing in the immediate vicinity.

Almost everyone involved with horses will know about the dangers that ragwort poses – every year animals die painful and unnecessary deaths as a result of damage to their liver from consuming the toxic plant. Despite this, ragwort levels seem to be on the increase and the BHS has certainly seen this in the number of cases reported over the last few years. This suggests that the laws governing ragwort are not being enforced and that many horse owners are not taking the threat the plant represents seriously.

There is currently no hard data that can be used to support arguments against ragwort, an issue the BHS believes needs addressing urgently. Data is required to paint a picture of the extent of the UK’s ragwort problem and will be used to encourage better enforcement of ragwort control and lobby for changes in legislation.

Lee Hackett, BHS head of welfare, said: “Ragwort has been causing horrible deaths to horses and ponies for many years and yet it seems to be becoming more and more widespread in its distribution – it produces seeds that can be carried by the wind over long distances and spread the problem in future years.

“The laws surrounding ragwort are not being enforced and now we need to stand up and be counted. We must take action now rather than sit back and let the problem become progressively worse.

“Currently there is no data on the prevalence of ragwort in the UK and its potential threat to livestock,” added Mr Hackett. “But we get the impression, through people contacting our welfare department, that ragwort is on the increase.”

“Ragwort growing out of control in the vicinity of grazing animals is a welfare concern,” said Helene Mauchlen, BHS Scotland development officer. “BHS Scotland are working hard to get ragwort under control and in 2008, under section 38 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, Scottish Ministers issued Scottish Goverment guidance on how to prevent the spread of ragwort.”

Although death by ragwort poisoning is rare in horses, Scottish Horse vet Dr Tim Watson MRCVS said: “There’s lots of ragwort about and we may well see an explosion of ragwort poisoning in horses in three or four years time.”

The booklet ‘Guidance on How to Prevent the Spread of Ragwort’ can be downloaded from www.scotland.gov.uk or obtained by sending a £1 SAE to BHS Scotland, Woodburn, Crieff, Perthshire, PH7 3RG

To take part in the survey visit www.bhs.org.uk