The Conservatives have today [Tuesday 16 June] launched a campaign against plans for a mass cull of Dartmoor ponies.
Ponies have roamed Dartmoor for thousands of years. But now, Natural England, an unelected and unaccountable New Labour quango, has the ponies in its crosshairs.
The body is demanding a drastic 75 per cent reduction in livestock grazing on the moor. This could mean up to 90 per cent of the semi-wild ponies are killed. Farmers are likely to prioritise keeping cattle and sheep, which are more profitable, over horses as they attempt to stay within the new limits which local farmers oppose.
Keir Starmer might have said he won’t allow the ponies to be shot. But the Prime Minister has a history of saying things and not acting on them, and u-turning when the going gets tough. So the Conservatives are urging Labour to intervene, overrule Natural England and ensure Dartmoor’s ponies are protected, and calling on the public to sign our petition at www.savetheponies.com
Dartmoor Hill ponies have Rare Breed Status, numbering fewer than 1,000. Natural England, which should be protecting these animals, is instead putting their future in grave doubt.
A report commissioned by the last Conservative Government made clear that Natural England should not take actions that would reduce pony numbers. In fact, it stated that ponies are “invaluable for conservation grazing” on the moor, noting that much of the moor is under-grazed and invasive species like Molinia grass are prevalent. Yet the quango has decided it knows best – despite local opposition.
This kind of overreach is one of the many reasons that the Shadow DEFRA team are carrying out a review into the DEFRA quangos, like Natural England, which are outdated and work against the grain of rural life, not with it.
The Conservatives will not stand idly by as our rural communities face such shameful and cruel decisions. That’s why we are launching this petition against the cull.
Dr Neil Hudson MP, Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister, said:
“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.”
Rebecca Smith MP, Member of Parliament for South West Devon, said:
“Natural England are forcing Dartmoor farmers into an untenable situation.
“These bizarre new rules on grazing numbers won’t just impact Dartmoor Ponies but cattle and sheep as well. Dartmoor farmers are deeply concerned about what it means for their future.
“Natural England need to think again about these wrongheaded changes, listen to farmers and stop the cull.”
