THE article on ragwort control in the Cornish Times on August 11 did not give the true picture of this most toxic weed. The photograph of someone holding it with bare arms is most foolish. The toxin can go through the skin and if this person had a blood test it would be proved. It should be pulled with gloves and burnt, even one plant can spread 100s of seeds. The Government made a control order in July 2004, that anyone not clearing it from their ground, could be prosecuted. Most people do not realise how poisonous it is, or what it is. James MacFarlane states that we do not want to eradicate it because of insects' food. I'm sure the same caterpillars etc, could find alternative food, and we definitely do want to eradicate it. The toxins in the liver of horses, cows and sheep give them a slow painful death and no-one can see the infected animals until they drop dead. In horses it can some times take years. I would be grateful if you could make this point clearer – farmers do know how dangerous it is.

PAMELA AGGETT Metherell