Sir, – Further to recent correspondence (June 12th), ragwort is a host plant to some 30 invertebrates, including the beautiful cinnabar moth, and is a source of pollen and nectar to many more. Invertebrates such as these underpin the whole of our natural system which is currently being seriously depleted by commercial agricultural practices. Ragwort’s toxicity to livestock is wildly overstated.
Would it not be appropriate to have lengths of roads sponsored by interested commercial parties in pursuit of the further encouragement of biodiversity? – Yours, etc,
GUY STEPHENSON,
Letterkenny,
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Co Donegal.