Ministers have confirmed that Dartmoor ponies will be safeguarded at their current levels, following widespread fears of a potential cull. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has unveiled a comprehensive package of new protections and financial support, designed to secure the long-term future of these iconic animals, which have graced the Dartmoor landscape for an estimated 4,500 years.
Campaigners had previously voiced significant concerns that updated Natural England contracts, which mandated reduced grazing on the Devon moor's commons, could inadvertently lead to the removal of up to 90% of the pony population. However, Defra's latest announcement addresses these worries directly by stating that Dartmoor ponies will now be excluded from stocking rate calculations. This crucial change means that farmers will no longer face the difficult decision of choosing between maintaining pony herds and keeping sheep or cattle, thereby removing a major potential driver for reducing pony numbers.
A key component of the new measures is the introduction of a dedicated pony supplement within existing farming schemes. This financial incentive aims to eliminate any economic pressure on farmers to reduce the population of Dartmoor's ponies, instead encouraging their continued presence. Furthermore, the government has committed to ongoing monitoring of pony numbers across the moor, ensuring that populations remain stable and do not decline further. The breed, once numbering 6,000 a quarter-century ago, has seen its numbers fall to fewer than 1,000 today, leading to its declaration as an endangered species.
Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, reiterated the agency's long-held view on the vital role Dartmoor ponies play in shaping the moor's distinct landscape. She welcomed the government's policy changes, stating they would facilitate collaboration with farmers to establish the necessary agreements for nature recovery on Dartmoor. Phil Stocker, Chairman of the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group, also expressed his reassurance, highlighting that Defra's announcement confirms the breed's status as a 'valued and essential part of the ecology and culture of Dartmoor'.
The announcement has been met with positive reactions from conservation groups. Catherine Anderson, Head of Operations at the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, described the support as 'fantastic', asserting that it will guarantee the herds maintain their place on Dartmoor for generations to come. Charlotte Faulkner, Chairwoman of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association, expressed gratitude for the new measures, emphasising their anticipated benefits for Dartmoor's biodiversity, culture, and tourism, helping to preserve the moor as it is known and loved.