Most farmers are clear with the rules on ragwort on their farm or in fields but should roadside ragwort always have to be removed? No, the presence of ragwort on a road verge is not automatically an offence, nor does every plant have to be removed. Where there is no animal welfare or forage production risk, ragwort can have value for wildlife and immediate removal may not be necessary. Medium risk: ragwort is between 50 and 100 metres from grazing or forage land. A member of the public or neighbouring farmer should not enter a road verge and start pulling, cutting or spraying ragwort without permission.