To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) the measures he is taking to promote and ensure the eradication of ragwort; (ii) the dangers posed to livestock and people by the weed; (iii) what conversations he has had with local councils and private landowners to combat the spread of ragwort; and (iv) the support he is providing to eradicate the weed.

The Department issues Notices to landowners to control ragwort where agricultural land is threatened from its spread under The Noxious Weeds (Northern Ireland) Order 1977. Failure to comply with a notice could result in prosecution or a reduction in basic farm payment. Where ragwort is established as a native plant in the wider environment and is deemed to pose no threat to agricultural land the Department does not require eradication of the plant per se.

Ragwort ingestion through grazing infested agricultural land can cause liver toxicity in cattle, horses and sheep. Hay or silage from badly infested pastures when fed to livestock presents increased risks to animal health as this is more palatable to animals.

Ragwort is not intrinsically dangerous to human health. Department guidance on controlling ragwort spread encourages people to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when taking measures to control the plant.

The Department does not provide direct support for the removal of ragwort as the responsibility for its control, following the issue of a notice, rests with the landowner. To assist landowners in undertaking their responsibilities, the Department engages a Noxious Weed Awareness Campaign each spring. This is to raise awareness with landowners, local councils and the public on the need to control ragwort and the risks it presents to animal health.

Advice on control measures to prevent weed spread is made available through mail shots, poster distribution and press articles. Information and guidance on effective methods of controlling ragwort is available on the DAERA website.