Dartmoor pony cull proposal prompts urgent call for livestock rule change
Exclusive: Sources say Defra’s policy on livestock fails to distinguish between ponies and sheep
TL;DR
- Natural England and MPs are calling for changes to government livestock rules to prevent the culling of Dartmoor ponies.
- A Defra policy does not differentiate between sheep and ponies in agri-environment schemes, leading to potential pony reductions.
- Ponies are seen as crucial for conservation grazing, managing tough vegetation, and maintaining Dartmoor's ecosystem.
- The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association reports a significant decline in the pony population.
- MPs are meeting with Defra ministers to discuss a 'carve-out' for ponies from the new grazing contract rules.
- The issue has become politicized, with the Conservative party launching a petition and criticizing Natural England.
- The prime minister's spokesperson stated the government will not allow a cull of Dartmoor ponies.