Government secures the future of Dartmoor’s iconic ponies

The government has today (Wednesday 15 July) secured the long-term future of Dartmoor's iconic pony populations through a package of new protections and financial support.

These heritage rare breeds and semi-wild hill ponies are a much-cherished part of Dartmoor's landscape and cultural heritage. They also play an important role in conserving protected environmental sites on the moor - and the government is committed to ensuring their numbers do not fall below current levels.

From today, Dartmoor ponies will be removed from stocking rate calculations in new Environmental Management agreements, so that farmers do not face a choice between keeping ponies and maintaining sheep or cattle. This implements recommendation 27 of the 2023 Fursdon Review, an independent review of protected site management on Dartmoor. Pony numbers will also be monitored across the moor to ensure they remain stable.

A new dedicated pony supplement will be introduced into farming schemes to remove any financial incentive to reduce pony populations. In addition, the government has asked the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group to develop a whole-moor grazing framework ensuring all interests are considered together.

Dartmoor is one of England's most important and distinctive landscapes, home to internationally important habitats and wildlife, but large parts of the moor are in long-term ecological decline. Achieving the right balance of grazing is essential to supporting both nature recovery and the long-term future of the moor's farming communities.

Marian Spain, Natural England Chief Executive said:

Natural England has always been clear that Dartmoor's ponies play a central role in shaping the landscape and supporting nature, and we want to see them continue to do so.

The government policy changes announced today will enable us to work with farmers to secure the agreements we need to recover nature on Dartmoor.

We will continue to work with Dartmoor Land Use Managers Group and other local groups on the new framework to ensure a healthy, sustainable future for Dartmoor.

Phil Stocker, Chair of the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group said:

This announcement gives pony keepers the reassurance they need that Dartmoor's native pony populations are a valued and essential part of the ecology and culture of Dartmoor.

It aligns fully with the DLUMG's work, where we are running trials to build the evidence that well-managed ponies, cattle and sheep can improve habitat condition and benefit nature more widely.

Charlotte Faulkner, Chair of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association said:

We would like to thank the Secretary of State for listening to over 220,000 people who care about the future of the semi-wild Dartmoor Hill Pony herds.

This will support Dartmoor's biodiversity, culture and tourism, keeping Dartmoor as we know and love it for generations to come.

Catherine Anderson, Head of Operations at the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust said:

We are very happy with the proposed way forward.

The review of native breed at risk support is fantastic. This will ensure herds maintain their place on Dartmoor for generations to come. The payments will also create a huge incentive to farmers to retain their ponies on the common.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Around 900 to 1,500 ponies graze on Dartmoor and today's announcement commits to maintaining pony populations at least at current levels.
• Dartmoor is one of England's most distinctive landscapes with 28% of the moor is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), home to rare and internationally significant habitats.
• Dartmoor Hill Ponies are classified by Defra as a Native Heritage Semi-Feral population and are categorised as "at risk" on the Native Breed Support register. As such, and like Pedigree Dartmoor ponies, they qualify for payments under ELM scheme supplementary actions for Native Breeds at risk as well as supplementary actions that pay farmers to keep cattle and ponies on moorland.
• Today's announcement takes forward a recommendation from the Fursdon Review, an independent review of protected site management on Dartmoor, published in 2023, which called for ponies and cattle to be treated separately when calculating livestock stocking rates under government farming schemes.
• The new pony supplement announced today will also benefit those grazing ponies on other upland areas in England, such as Exmoor and the Cumbrian Fells. If eligible, they will be able to apply for the supplement, recognising the wider role ponies play in conservation grazing across England's landscapes.