Sir Keir Starmer has been urged not to allow the shooting of Dartmoor ponies as concerns escalate that an unelected quango might order a mass cull of the beloved moorland grazers. A petition has been launched following claims that the iconic horses could be killed off by Natural England in pursuit of eco-policies, although officials insist the ponies are safe.
Natural England Demands Grazing Cuts
Natural England has called for a 75 percent reduction in the number of animals grazing on Dartmoor. Defenders of the species argue this would effectively lead to the death of around 90 percent of Dartmoor ponies. Currently, there are just under 1,000 ponies grazing on the moor, but critics claim Natural England has them in their crosshairs, despite Downing Street insisting that Dartmoor hill ponies "are safe under this Government."
Political Backlash
Conservative MP Dr. Neil Hudson, a veterinary surgeon, stated: "As a veterinary surgeon, I know that culling perfectly healthy animals is not the way forward in this situation. These precious ponies are part of the natural landscape and ecosystem and they must be preserved. Natural England have gone into over-reach and they need to understand that these ponies can co-exist with the farm animals in the area and are vital for our heritage but also for supporting the natural environment. For once, this Labour Government needs to do the right thing, hold Natural England to account, and put a halt to any proposed Dartmoor Pony cull."
Historical and Ecological Significance
Dartmoor ponies have grazed the area for thousands of years. However, Natural England is now including these ponies in livestock counts under its new moorland agri-environmental schemes, which provide payments to farmers for grazing upland in ways that benefit nature. Campaigners warn that the new schemes will cut livestock, including ponies, by 56 to 89 percent, even though previous reductions in stocking densities—from which ponies were previously exempt—have not improved biodiversity on Dartmoor.
Government Reassurances
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "So, let me be very clear on this: this government will not allow a cull of Dartmoor ponies and we don’t manage feral pony populations by culling in this country. Natural England has not recommended a cull of Dartmoor ponies and it does not have the power to order a cull and has not advised one. And, more broadly, Dartmoor ponies are part of the cultural landscape of Dartmoor and play a vital role in the health of its moorland habitats." She added that the ponies are "safe under this government."
An Environment Department (Defra) spokesperson echoed these sentiments: "Dartmoor ponies are an important part of Dartmoor’s heritage and also key to supporting the habitats of Dartmoor. Natural England are not recommending a cull and this government wouldn’t support one."
