Produce importer JO Sims has formed an alliance with Ragwort-UK to help tackle the alarming increase in the killer weed ragwort responsible for deaths to horses, cows, sheep and those involved in its removal.
This, said the company, is another example of JO Sims striving to actively push environmental issues and its commitment to environmental policy and the community at large.
As part of the alliance Ragwort UK will be collecting seedling ragwort from land surrounding the JO Sims Spalding processing plant, which will be used in breeding programs to grow populations of the caterpillar of Cinnabar moth.
This caterpillar eats only ragwort and is responsible for the natural control of the weed; unfortunately virtually all British butterflies and moths are in serious decline including the Cinnabar.
Consequently, ragwort is able to proliferate virtually unchecked and is reaching such alarming proportions that the problem is now a matter of debate in the House of Commons. Ragwort is highly poisonous and risk of its entrance to the food chain in dairy and honey products is a major concern.
Christopher Sims, managing director of JO Sims said: 'We have a clear commitment to environmental concerns and are more than willing to offer our support to such an important issue.' Ragwort-UK Ltd is Britain's only commercial Cinnabar breeding operation, established to supply clean stocks of Cinnabar to agencies responsible for ragwort control.
Defra is charged with enforcing The Weeds Act 1959.
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