Section 1(1) states: "Where the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food ... is satisfied that there are injurious weeds to which this Act applies growing upon any land he may serve upon the occupier of the land a notice in writing requiring him, within the time specified in the notice, to take such action as may be necessary to prevent the weeds from spreading."

[2] The Broad Leaved Dock is a resilient and common perennial plant found in grasslands throughout the United Kingdom.

Unaffected by regular climatic variations and all but the most acidic soils, the Broad Leaved Dock can produce around 60,000 seeds a year and flowers from June to October.

[4] Although said to contribute to animal wellbeing by providing nutrients which would otherwise be absent, it also contains oxalic acid which could be damaging to stock.

Characterised by spined lobed leaves, it stands up to one metre high and blooms with light purple flowers between July and September.

It competes fiercely with other plants or crops and can release a natural biocide into the soil to inhibit growth of other species.