Common ragwort is considered an "injurious weed" that is harmful to the interests of agriculture.

(6) If the code appears to a court to be relevant to any question arising in proceedings it is to be taken into account in determining that question.The 2004 Code (with amendments) applies only to England[6] and is set out in documents[7] with additional Guidance on Disposal[8] issued on 15 March 2011 followed by an addendum of 18 April 2012.

Section 2(2) provides that this does not affect the power to make further Orders varying or omitting that reference.

Section 3(2) provides that the Act came into force at the end of the period of three months that began on the date on which it was passed.

[9] The day (that is to say, 20 November 2003) on which the Act was passed (that is to say, received royal assent) is included in the period of three months.