The petition seems to have fallen on deaf ears. If we are to keep the iconic sight of semi-wild ponies on Dartmoor, please can we ask you to do one more thing? Would you copy and paste the words below and email them to the Defra Secretary Of State?

Dear Secretary of State,

Defra has put Dartmoor's semi-wild pony herds in grave danger and I am writing to ask you to review this situation urgently.

In its Response to the Dartmoor Review, Defra has overturned the Recommendation to protect the number of rare Dartmoor Hill Ponies - already classed as Endangered.  Instead, responsibility for their number is placed in Natural England's hands - an organisation which has stated its desire to cut the number of grazing animals on Dartmoor dramatically.

The new ELM schemes, which provide support for the small number of farmers who still keep a herd of semi-wild ponies on Dartmoor, is not yet available. These farmers must sign old-style contracts which include all the clauses which threaten ponies. 

Please would you put in interim measures to protect pony numbers until ELM schemes are launched?

Please would you instigate further discussion between Defra, Natural England and the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association to find a way forward which does not require
ponies being cleared from the moor?

Yours in anticipation,

(Your name)

Email to:

Secretary.state@defra.gov.uk