Note concerning the publication date of BfR2GO
BfR2GO 1/2026 has just been published (June 2026). The next issue will be published in December 2026. Internal Link:Subscribe
Scientific sniffers
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published
Spring ragwort looks pretty when it is in bloom and yellow. However, if it gets into hay used as feed it can cause severe poisoning in cows or horses, for example. This is due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), which the plant produces naturally.
The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is investigating whether dogs can detect such impurities. Initial tests have been positive: the dogs were able to distinguish ragwort from other plants by its scent and detect it even in small amounts in hay samples. Next, the research sniffer dogs must pass the practical test and find impurities in compressed hay bales. If successful, well-trained dogs could in future detect contaminated hay in places such as horse stables. The tests are planned for this year.
