|
Ragwort and the Law The Weeds Act 1959
Ragwort is mentioned in the Weeds Act 1959. This is
what the Act says
"(1) Where the minister of Agriculture fish and food (in this
act refered to as ' the Minister') is satisfied that there are injurious
weeds to which this act applies growing upon any land he may serve
upon the occupier of the land a notice, to take such action as may
be necessary to prevent the weeds from spreading.
(2)This act applies
to the following injurious weeds, that is to say-
spear thistle
creeping or field thistle
broad leaved dock
ragwort"
It is a piece of legislation that provides for AN ORDER to be
made. There is nothing that says that you automatically MUST eliminate
this plant from land. It is similar to legislation which can produce
orders for children to be curfewed. It is not automatic but only
happens where there is problem.
It is commonly claimed that this legislation forces landowners to control ragwort or that it places an
obligation on them to do so. as can clearly be seen from the actual contents and text of the act this is
not the case. It is not unknown for even such august bodies as local councils to get this matter wrong.
This is the text of the act and this is what it says. The rest of this rather short act of parliament is
about procedure and powers but has no bearing on the obligations and requirements placed on landowners in
general. For completeness a copy is available here .
The Weeds Act 1959 has been subsequently amended by the
Ragwort Control Act 2003. but this has no real effect on the information given on this page.
Return to Ragwort Facts index
|