The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has confirmed a significant policy change for Dartmoor, announcing that Dartmoor ponies will no longer be factored into stocking rate calculations. This decision, aimed at safeguarding the future of the iconic pony populations, has garnered mixed reactions from agricultural ecologists and conservation scientists.
Professor Mariecia Fraser, Professor of Upland Agroecology at Aberystwyth University, hailed the move as a "very welcome decision." Professor Fraser highlighted research indicating that ponies show a greater propensity than sheep or cattle to graze Molinia, commonly known as purple moor grass. The over-dominance of Molinia is a substantial obstacle to heathland habitat restoration on Dartmoor, and it is hoped that the ponies' role in enhancing biodiversity will now be better acknowledged and leveraged. Professor Fraser also noted that many areas on Dartmoor currently suffer from under-grazing rather than over-grazing, and that new support for maintaining a viable pony population should help protect their unique genetics, with ongoing research even linking markers in these ponies to ancient DNA from Ice Age remains.
However, Professor Davy McCracken, Professor of Agricultural Ecology at SRUC, offered a more cautious perspective. He suggested that DEFRA's decision appears to be largely driven by public concern over potential declines in pony numbers, rather than a detailed assessment of their specific ecological impact. Professor McCracken emphasised that the effect of any grazing animal, whether sheep, cow, or pony, on upland vegetation is not inherently good or bad. Instead, the impact depends on various factors including vegetation type, condition, grazing intensity and timing, and the availability of alternative forage.
Professor McCracken described the situation on Dartmoor as complex, acknowledging that some priority habitats are in poor condition in certain areas. He stressed the need for greater recognition that the increase in bracken and Molinia grassland contributes to this decline, significantly influencing where livestock choose to graze. He concluded that isolating any single habitat or livestock species will not resolve the ongoing debate surrounding grazing on Dartmoor. A comprehensive understanding of the entire grazing system is required, recognising that different grazing levels will likely be necessary across various parts of the moor to address issues stemming from historical over or under-grazing.
This policy adjustment by DEFRA reflects a broader recognition of the multifaceted challenges involved in managing Dartmoor's unique ecosystem. While the protection of Dartmoor ponies is a positive outcome for many, experts underscore the importance of integrating this change into a holistic strategy for environmental management that considers all aspects of the moor's delicate balance.