EQUESTRIAN groups have saluted Ryedale MP John Greenway for his support for a new law to govern the control of a common weed that is deadly to horses.

The Ragwort Control Bill will today receive Royal Assent making it an Act of Parliament.

Common ragwort is one of five weeds named in the Weeds Act 1959 and is the only one of those five poisonous to equines and other grazing animals. Animals suffer an excruciating death after its ingestion.

The Bill's journey started a year ago following the 2002 ballot for Private Members' Bills. The British Horse Society (BHS) approached all MPs drawn in the ballot asking for support for a Bill to protect equines against the traumas and death resulting in consuming common ragwort. Mr Greenway, who was drawn 13th in the ballot, took up the request and gave it his whole-hearted support.

"Because I came 13th on the ballot I thought I would have a reasonable chance to do something about a problem which is a real headache and nuisance for horse and pony owners," said Mr Greenway.

"I have terrific support for horse owners in Ryedale, it is one of the main centres of horse breeding and training in the country. The horse is crucially important to the Ryedale economy and leisure industry. With the passing of this Bill we have at least managed to strengthen the campaign against ragwort."

The Bill forms a statutory code of practice, which will acts as guidance to landowners and public authorities on how to stop the deadly weed spreading. It could be used as evidence in future prosecutions.

BHS chief executive, Kay Driver, said: "It was the BHS that first raised the issue of ragwort poisoning in horses over five years ago with its Root Out Ragwort campaign. The campaign achieved its aim of raising awareness about ragwort, but we still saw horses ingesting this insidious weed with an agonising death as a result.

"We are most grateful to John Greenway for sponsoring the Bill, and to Baroness Masham for leading it through the House of Lords. Their names will go down in history as being actively involved in improving horse welfare."

The Bill went through its Third Reading without debate and becomes law three months after adoption.

Updated: 12:27 Thursday, November 20, 2003