Full Breakdown
Dartmoor Hill Ponies Face Potential Mass Cull Under New Grazing Contracts
6/17/2026, 1:14:18 AM
Proposed Grazing Contracts Threaten Dartmoor Ponies
Natural England’s new moorland agri-environmental contracts, under Defra’s livestock-unit framework, will count Dartmoor hill ponies alongside sheep and cattle. The schemes demand a 56-89 % cut in livestock on the commons, a reduction that could force the removal – and cull – of up to 90 % of the ponies, according to campaigners. Natural England says it cannot order a cull, but the caps create an incentive for commoners to favor livestock.
Historical Role and Recent Policy Shift
Dartmoor hill ponies have grazed the park for 4,500 years, once numbering 7,000 in 1999 and 6,000 twenty-five years ago. A 2023 government review warned that over-grazing by sheep threatens birds and butterflies, recommending a 76 % destocking of the moor. The new Defra contracts aim to improve biodiversity but do not differentiate between sheep, cattle and ponies, raising fears the breed could be decimated.
Government and Agency Responses
Downing Street affirmed the government will not permit a cull and highlighted the ponies’ role in moorland habitats. Defra reiterated contracts aim to protect biodiversity and that Natural England has not recommended a cull. Natural England said it can only advise; decisions on animal numbers rest with landowners and commoners.
Criticism and Opposition
DHPA secretary Joss Hibbs warned the scheme would “devastate” the pony population, make farms financially unviable and offer little environmental benefit. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the plan “total madness” and urged an override. Labour defence minister Luke Pollard said the contracts risk creating an incentive to prioritize sheep and cattle over ponies. Natural England’s south-west director David Slater denied the agency is advocating a cull.
Divergent Figures and Unresolved Issues
Sources give differing pony counts: the BBC cites fewer than 1,000 animals, while GB News reports 1,000-1,500. Estimates of the proportion at risk vary, with some groups warning of a 90 % loss and others citing up to 93 %. Natural England says it cannot order a cull, but contract language leaves enforcement unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Natural England's approach will devastate the Dartmoor hill pony population, it will make farms financially unviable and it's extremely doubtful there will be any environmental benefit.” — Joss Hibbs, DHPA secretary
- “This is total madness from another unaccountable quango.” — Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader
- “David Slater, the agency's south-west director, said: "The notion that Natural England is advocating a cull is simply untrue.” — David Slater, Natural England south-west director
- “I am deeply concerned that the proposed contracts include ponies within overall livestock unit limits, which risks creating a financial incentive to prioritise more commercially viable livestock, such as cattle and sheep, over ponies.” — Luke Pollard, Labour defence minister
Upcoming Actions
MPs Steve Race and Luke Pollard will meet Defra next week to press for a pony-carve-out. The Land Use Management Group will deliver a Dartmoor land-use plan by 2027. The Conservative Party has launched a petition to “save the ponies,” and a parliamentary debate is expected as the contracts are finalised.
