We have just passed the season when Ragwort raises passions and divides normally peaceful supporters of animals and wildlife. The division is sharp. The plant, common in unmanaged fields and on waste ground, is without doubt poisonous to grazing animals especially horses which seem to avoid it, growing and flowering freely. However, dried and in hay, the unfortunate animals are not able to differentiate the nutritious components from the noxious Ragwort leaves, stems and flowers. Naturally, horse owners, supported by the influential British Horse Society, want the plant exterminated. Well informed environmentalists know that this common, totally indigenous plant supports many native insects, bugs and moths. The extermination hysteria of the past 20years driven by the horse lobby has seen a population crash in formerly common attractive species such as the Cinnabar Moth. Over 30 other insect species are also dependent on Ragwort. So there are the seeds of serious conflict.
展开▼
