NORTH YORKSHIRE horse owners have thrown their support behind moves to control the spread of poisonous ragwort.

Ryedale MP John Greenway has introduced a Private Members' Bill which he hopes will protect horses against the danger of ragwort poisoning.

The Equine Welfare (Ragwort Control) Bill is aimed at controlling the spread of the deadly plant, which each year condemns hundreds of horses, sheep and cattle to a lingering death.

Racehorse trainer Mark Campion, who trains at Norton, said: "I would be absolutely delighted if something like this were to be brought in.

"It's a dangerous plant which gets out of hand very easily and very quickly.

"I would be supporting Mr Greenway 101 per cent on that, and I hope it comes to fruition."

The MP, who came 13th in the annual ballot of MPs to allow them to introduce a Private Members' Bill, said he was hopeful his bill would get heard.

"Although the Secretary of State has powers to require public authorities in particular to remove ragwort from their land, and it is a criminal offence for authorities not to do so, there is no real mechanism by which this power can be exercised," he said.

Mr Greenway said he would be working with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the British Horse Society.

He wants to ensure that public authorities such as Railtrack or the Highways Agency either have a duty to control the yellow flowering weed, or are bound by a code of practice.

"Owners of horses deserve greater reassurance that their own land will not become contaminated by ragwort, which is easily borne on the wind and which effectively leads to certain death for any horse which eats this poisonous weed."

Mr Greenway said he had the support of the National Farmers' Union, the British Horseracing Board and the British Horse Society.

liz.todd@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 11:14 Friday, December 13, 2002