"Janet Baraclough" wrote in message
...
The message
from (Neil Jones) contains these words:

However, what do the scientific data say? Well, there is
apparently
only one set of official statistics available. These official
Government statistics were published in the official State
Veterinary
Journal.
Here they a (snip).

The SVJ is produced for DEFRA, I think?

More recent research has been carried out at Liverpool University
animal hospital, and by the British Equine Veterinary Association,
both
suggesting a much higher incidence than the figures you quoted: see

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/co...gwort_appr.pdf

where DEFRA says

. "Whilst it is unsatisfactory not to have more
accurate data on the number of animal deaths, there is no dispute
that
ragwort poisoning does present a serious health risk to horses and
livestock,
and may be a common cause of death."

Which is presumably why the Ragwort Control Act was brought into
force
one year ago?

But it is not the first time that a government has acted on dubious
information!

I had a discussion with a vet who held the 'subjective' opinion that
ragwort was the easy excuse for bad equine management. He claimed he
had not seen a case of liver damage which could solely be attributed
to ragwort poisoning. He had seen cases (plural) where nibbling of
creosoted stabling and rails, had proved fatal. And he also reeled off
a list of other plants which would prove just as dangerous (including
bracken, deadly nightshade, hemlock, yew, privet - these were just the
'common sense' ones that I can remember). And let's not forget mouldy
hay and too rich feeding leading to laminitis which can also prove
fatal.

Ragwort is just the scapegoat.

--
ned

http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk
last update 30.12.2004