Our response to Natural England's latest blog.
Firstly, we want to say thank you to each and every one of you for your continued support. We still have a way to go.
The Fursdon review states: "Dartmoor’ s pony population is genetically important and invaluable for conservation grazing. Ponies & cattle should not be linked for the calculation of A-E agreement stocking rates and NE should not take actions likely to result in a decline in pony numbers."
This is the latest response from NE via their blog.
Our response:-
The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association (DHPA) has welcomed Natural England's acknowledgement that the concerns raised by campaigners are real, and its recognition that Dartmoor's semi-wild Hill Ponies are iconic, native, genetically important and an integral part of the moor's grazing system. It also welcomes the acceptance that viable farming must be sustained and that under-grazing is contributing to the spread of Molinia.
However, while Natural England says there is "no quick fix", the DHPA believes there is one immediate step that could safeguard the ponies: implement Recommendation 27 of the 2023 Fursdon Review, which states that ponies should not be included alongside cattle and sheep when calculating grazing limits, and that Natural England should avoid policies likely to reduce pony numbers.
The DHPA also believes existing grazing agreements should be extended until the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group completes its work in 2027, rather than introducing new contracts that could further reduce grazing. It has also expressed concern that it has not been included in Natural England's stakeholder discussions, despite representing the commoners who manage the semi-wild pony herds.
The campaign continues to call on Natural England to act now by implementing Recommendation 27 and securing the future of Dartmoor's endangered Hill Ponies.
Keep signing. Keep sharing. Stand together for Dartmoor Hill Ponies. #weareDartmoor
Thank you.