Thank you for contacting me about ponies on Dartmoor.
I would like to assure you that my ministerial colleagues and I recognise that ponies are an essential part of Dartmoor National Park. Natural England has been clear that it has not imposed any decisions on commoners and landowners forcing them to cull ponies. It is clear that Dartmoor’s ponies have an important conservation role as part of the balance of grazing animals on the commons. However, I am aware that none of Dartmoor’s moorland Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are in a favourable condition, with rare moorland birds all but disappearing from the area and precious peatland habitats damaged.
I understand that Natural England asked some commoners to adjust grazing patterns to achieve the right balance of ponies, cattle and sheep at the right time of the year to allow the National Park to recover. Natural England is providing guidance to help commoners make their own decisions on how they manage their livestock and make any changes to timings and patterns of grazing that can help ensure that both nature and farming thrive on Dartmoor.
Any changes required will depend on the individual circumstances of each agreement. Where Natural England advises changes to the management, a stepped approach over the five-year extension period is proposed so that farmers have time to plan for any changes. Any decisions on ponies are for the commoners themselves to take and I understand that if they want to continue to let the ponies graze as at present, commoners could focus on the grazing patterns of their other animals. Natural England continues to engage with commoners, landowners and the Dartmoor National Park to work on agreeing a shared way forward on this important issue.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.