I’m delighted that the Government has announced a solution that will protect Dartmoor’s iconic hill ponies and secure their future on the moor.
This is a hugely positive outcome following months of concern from pony keepers, commoners, conservationists and local communities who feared that changes to environmental land management rules could have had devastating consequences.
The Dartmoor hill pony is far more than just the logo of the national park. It is a rare native breed with unique characteristics that have allowed it to thrive on Dartmoor for centuries. These ponies are an integral part of the landscape and play an important role in maintaining the moor’s ecology, biodiversity and natural environment.
That’s why so many people were alarmed when proposals emerged that would have included ponies in stocking rate calculations used for Environmental Land Management schemes.
Campaigners raised serious concerns that treating Dartmoor ponies in the same way as commercial livestock could create an impossible choice for those managing land on the moor. Faced with restrictions on grazing numbers, there were fears that commoners and land managers would be pressured to reduce pony numbers in favour of more economically viable livestock like cattle or sheep.
Campaigning to stop the cull
Over recent months, I have been working alongside organisations including the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association and Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony, as well as parliamentary colleagues from across Devon and Cornwall, to press for a solution. I raised the issue directly in Parliament and asked the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to find an approach that works both for local communities and for the long-term future of Dartmoor’s ponies.
I arranged for concerned MPs to meet Natural England and later met with the DEFRA minister to keep up the pressure.
So, I’m very pleased that the Government has listened to our calls.
A sensible solution
Under the new arrangements, Dartmoor ponies will be completely removed from stocking rate calculations in future Environmental Land Management agreements. This addresses the central concern raised by campaigners and removes the risk that pony numbers could be squeezed as an unintended consequence of environmental schemes.
The Government has committed to monitoring pony populations to ensure numbers do not fall below their current levels. A new “pony premium” will also be introduced to ensure there is no financial incentive to reduce pony populations.
This result recognises the valuable role ponies play in the management of protected landscapes, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest, while also supporting those who care for them. It shows that environmental objectives and the protection of Dartmoor’s cultural heritage go hand in hand.
I want to thank ministers for listening to concerns and working with Natural England to develop a solution that protects both the environment and Dartmoor’s unique heritage.
Dartmoor is one of our most valuable landscapes, and its ponies are at the heart of its identity. I’m proud to have been a part of this campaign, and I’m delighted that we have secured a positive outcome that will help protect these remarkable animals for years to come.
