Dartmoor Ponies Face Devastating Cull Threat

A significant controversy is unfolding regarding the future of Dartmoor's hill ponies, a breed present for 4,500 years. Campaigners are raising alarms that new conservation contracts introduced by Natural England could lead to the culling of up to 90% of these ponies. These agri-environmental schemes aim to benefit nature by managing upland grazing, but they require a substantial reduction in livestock, including the ponies.

Critics argue that these cuts will devastate the pony population, which is crucial for maintaining the moor's biodiversity by grazing dominant Molinia grass. The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association highlights that farmers may be forced to abandon ponies in favor of more commercially viable sheep and cattle, threatening their livelihoods and the ponies' survival.

Campaigners are urging Natural England to pause its approach and await the outcome of a land use plan for Dartmoor, expected by 2027. They advocate for long-term legal protection for the herds and a mutually agreed population size, as previously established.

While Natural England asserts its intention to maintain pony numbers for future generations, a Downing Street spokeswoman has stated the government will not permit a cull, emphasizing that the animals are safe. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) also indicated a commitment to ensuring pony numbers are sustained.