RYEDALE'S Conservative MP John Greenway is putting forward a private member's bill to root out the poisonous weed ragwort.

Its purpose is to impose a duty of responsibility on public landowners to effectively control ragwort, preventing its spread onto grazing land used by horses, ponies and donkeys.

Mr Greenway said: "The problem of responsibility poses a threat to every horse owner around the country.

"Whilst DEFRA is aware of the difficulties, we need stronger action to require public authorities to control ragwort on their land and prevent its spread into equine paddocks.

"Whether or not we are successful with this bill next March, I hope this sponsorship will help create a greater regard for the welfare of equines.

"There is a significant horse population in my constituency of Ryedale and I am glad to have the support of the British Horseracing Board and the National Farmers Union, as well as support in preparing this bill from the British Horse Society."

Mrs Kay Driver, BHS chief executive, said: "The society has campaigned hard for the past five years for effective control of ragwort.

"We have been pleased that authorities such as the Highways Agency have been extremely proactive in controlling the spread, but there is still a need to bring other bodies in line.

"It is the responsibility of every landowner to control ragwort and we hope that this bill is the first step in ensuring that they recognise the need for that control.

"We are indebted to Mr Greenway for his sponsorship of this bill.

"Ragwort is thought to have caused the deaths of 500 horses in 2001, with the toll predicted at 1,000 for this year.

"The poisoning is cumulative, destroying the liver. Symptoms do not show until the latter stages, when death, which is agonising, is inevitable.

"Under the Weeds Act of 1959 it is an offence to allow the plant to seed.

"However, lack of resources do not currently permit for effective control. Ragwort seeds can lie dormant in the soil for up to 20 years and each plant can produce 150-250,000 seeds a year.

"We need stronger action to require public authorities to control ragwort on their land and prevent its spread into equine paddocks."