In recent weeks, Dartmoor's iconic ponies have been at the centre of significant media attention and public debate. We want to use this blog to set out clearly what has been reported, what is happening in reality, and what we are doing next.
What has been reported
We have already corrected false claims made in media articles last week suggesting that Natural England is proposing to cull Dartmoor ponies as part of biodiversity plans for the moor. We understand why these headlines have caused distress to pony owners, to people who love Dartmoor and to communities across the South West who have a deep connection to these animals.
We continue to be clear that no cull of Dartmoor ponies has been proposed, approved or is being pursued by Natural England. We recognise, though, that the situation which has led to this coverage is real and complex, and deserves a more careful explanation than headlines allow.
What’s actually happening
Dartmoor is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and one of England's most ecologically important landscapes. The moorland habitats it supports - blanket bog, heath and grassland - depend on the right kind and level of grazing, by sheep, cattle and ponies, to remain in good condition. When grazing levels are too high, sensitive plant communities are damaged. When they are too low, vegetation such as Molinia (purple moor grass) can encroach over time, reducing both biodiversity and forage for livestock.
Dartmoor ponies are a native breed and are an integral part of that grazing system. They have shaped the moor for centuries and Natural England absolutely values their role in it. The difficulty is that, in some areas, grazing levels are higher than the habitat can sustain in the long term. This is not a new problem and it is not one with a simple solution. This is about getting the right type of grazing, in the right place and at the right time of year. Across large, unfenced areas this has to be supported by viable farming to be sustainable.
Managing livestock numbers on common land is a genuinely complicated matter. It involves the rights of commoners, the economics of traditional upland farming, animal welfare obligations, and the ecological needs of protected habitats. These things can pull in different directions and any approach that ignores that complexity risks causing harm to farming livelihoods, to wildfire risk, or to the very habitats we are all trying to protect.
Natural England strongly believes that a viable pony population is essential for nature recovery on Dartmoor, as well as for their huge cultural and aesthetic value.
Balancing this with all the other interests such as sheep and cattle farming will take a strong partnership effort over the coming years – there is no quick fix.
What we are doing
We are working with Defra on the broader policy questions this situation has raised, including whether current frameworks adequately support the kind of land management that Dartmoor needs.
Natural England is working closely with Defra, the Commoners’ Council, pony owners, the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group and the Dartmoor National Park on a considered, collaborative approach. We are holding a series of meetings with them in the coming weeks.
We are acutely aware that a rushed or reactive solution, even a well-intentioned one, could have unintended consequences for farming systems, animal welfare and the ecology of the moor itself. There is no imminent deadline on agreement renewals so there is time to develop solutions collaboratively.
Our people on the ground
Our Local Team includes people dedicated to working on Dartmoor and they regularly meet with commoners, pony keepers, farmers and conservation groups. They know the moor, have built relationships with those who live and work there over many years and understand that the ecology of Dartmoor and the livelihoods of the people who manage it are not separate concerns.
There is a genuine, shared desire among the people closest to Dartmoor to find workable solutions and we look forward to working with all parties to safeguard the future of ponies on the moor.
Next steps
We will provide a further update once our upcoming stakeholder meetings have taken place.
A note on comments
We welcome comments on our blog, but please keep the conversation respectful. Comments are moderated in line with our policy.
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