A significant row is developing over the future of Dartmoor's iconic hill ponies, as campaigners express grave concerns that new conservation requirements from Natural England could lead to a drastic reduction in their numbers. Opponents suggest that the new contracts, designed to cut livestock grazing on the moor's commons, might result in the removal – and likely cull – of up to 90% of these semi-wild animals, an endangered breed integral to the Dartmoor landscape for millennia.
Natural England's new moorland agri-environmental schemes offer payments to farmers for grazing uplands in ways intended to benefit nature. However, these schemes now include ponies in livestock counts, a change that campaigners warn could force commoners, who hold traditional grazing rights, to reduce their herds significantly. The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association (DHPA) has stated that this could compel commoners to prioritise commercial sheep and cattle over the ponies, for whom they have historically acted as guardians. The DHPA secretary, Joss Hibbs, highlighted that previous cuts, from which ponies were previously exempt, did not demonstrably boost biodiversity.
The potential impact on the Dartmoor hill pony population is considerable. There were approximately 6,000 ponies on Dartmoor 25 years ago, a figure that has now fallen to fewer than 1,000. Campaigners argue that the loss of these ponies would also be detrimental to the moor's biodiversity, as they are crucial grazers of Molinia grass, which has become dominant across the landscape. Hibbs warned that if commoners opt for commercial livestock to sustain their livelihoods, the ponies could be lost; conversely, if they choose the ponies, their farms might become unviable, leading to the eventual loss of the very farmers who safeguard the ponies.
The situation has drawn strong political reaction, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labelling the potential outcome as "total madness" and launching a petition. She urged the Labour party to intervene, overrule Natural England, and ensure the protection of the ponies. However, a Downing Street spokeswoman has affirmed that the government will not permit a cull of Dartmoor ponies, stating that Natural England has neither recommended nor has the power to order one. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) also stated its commitment to maintaining semi-wild pony numbers on the moor for future generations, in line with an independent review.
Devon-based charity Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony is advocating for long-term, legal protection for the remaining herds, recognising their rare status. They also call for an agreed, moor-wide herd size, similar to arrangements under previous contracts. Furthermore, campaigners suggest Natural England should await the findings of the Land Use Management Group, established to implement recommendations from a 2023 government-commissioned review, which is developing a comprehensive land use plan for Dartmoor by 2027.
The ongoing discussions underscore the complex challenge of balancing conservation objectives with the preservation of traditional farming practices and the welfare of iconic native breeds. The outcome will significantly shape the future landscape and ecology of Dartmoor.