The UK government has announced a package of measures to secure the long-term future of Dartmoor's iconic ponies. The decision aims to maintain the pony populations on the moor and support farmers who keep them, ensuring the continuation of a cherished part of Dartmoor's cultural heritage and a vital role in conserving protected environmental sites.
The government's move comes after the 2023 Fursdon Review, which recommended that Dartmoor ponies be removed from stocking rate calculations in new Environmental Management agreements. This change will prevent farmers from facing a choice between keeping ponies and maintaining sheep or cattle. Additionally, pony numbers will be monitored across the moor to ensure they remain stable.
A new dedicated pony supplement will be introduced into farming schemes to remove any financial incentive to reduce pony populations. The government has also asked the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group to develop a whole-moor grazing framework, ensuring all interests are considered together.
Dartmoor is one of England's most important and distinctive landscapes, home to internationally important habitats and wildlife. However, large parts of the moor are in long-term ecological decline. Achieving the right balance of grazing is essential to supporting both nature recovery and the long-term future of the moor's farming communities.
The measures announced by the government are welcomed by various stakeholders, including Natural England, the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group, and the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association. These organisations believe that the decision will enable them to work with farmers to secure agreements needed to recover nature on Dartmoor and ensure a healthy, sustainable future for the iconic ponies.