LANDOWNERS have been offered new guidelines for getting rid of ragwort, a poisonous plant which kills hundreds of horses each year.

The guide, published on Monday, offers help and advice on how to dispose of the weed correctly and stop its re-growth.

The document, Guidance on the Disposal Options for Common Ragwort, was drawn up for Defra by consultants ADAS. It supplements the advice given in the Code of Practice on how to prevent the spread of ragwort published last year following the introduction of the Ragwort Control Act. The guidelines include advice on how to dispose of ragwort from all types of land and highlights that incorrect disposal is likely to result in further spread through seed dispersal and re-growth in root sections. The guide also stressed the importance of control.