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Dartmoor Overgrazing Ruling: Council Failed Basic Duty
20 Mar
Summary
- Dartmoor council failed to assess livestock numbers on commons.
- A High Court judge ruled the assessment was legally inadequate.
- Environmental group Wild Justice brought the successful action.
The body responsible for protecting Dartmoor's natural environment has been found to have failed in its statutory duties. A High Court judge ruled that the Dartmoor Commoners' Council (DCC) did not adequately assess the number of livestock grazing on the commons.
Environmental campaign group Wild Justice initiated legal action, asserting that overgrazing significantly contributes to the ecological decline of Dartmoor's important wildlife habitats. The High Court agreed that the assessment of animal numbers was a fundamental part of the DCC's responsibilities.
While the court did not mandate the issuance of limitation notices to control livestock, it clarified that the DCC must develop a legally adequate method for assessing grazing capacity within its resources. The DCC has welcomed the decision and plans to develop a robust methodology for future assessments.
