90% of Dartmoor Ponies to be culled under order from Natural England???

[myotis]

If anyone is following this rather odd story. Odd, because Dartmoor ponies have an important (vital) role in helping to achieve Natural England's biodiversity aims for Dartmoor.

Here is a statement from Natural England in response to the current media coverage. Unnecessary spoiler alert: it isn't true.

Grazing on Dartmoor – Setting the record straight on Natural England's role

This blog was updated on 16th June Recent media coverage has suggested that Natural England has recommended a cull of ponies on Dartmoor. This is categorically not true, nor is it true to suggest any scheme has been designed with …

naturalengland.blog.gov.uk

 

[Box Brownie]

The news item I saw yesterday seemed too infer/suggest that sheep & cattle grazing, which is the money earner for the farmers, are considered to commercially valuable to reduce their numbers = the non commercial livestock is under scrutiny.

 

[myotis]

The news item I saw yesterday seemed too infer/suggest that sheep & cattle grazing, which is the money earner for the farmers, are considered to commercially valuable to reduce their numbers = the non commercial livestock is under scrutiny.

I suspect this is where the story becomes more nuanced and needs a deeper investigation than I am willing to give it.

As I understand it, the main problem on Dartmoor is Mollinia, and pony (and cattle) grazing is one of the best ways of controlling Mollinia. Natural England are actively encouraging pony grazing.

Sheep grazing encourages Mollinia growth, so while I don't know what advice has come from Natural England, I suspect it would be sheep grazing they would like to see reduced - not that they have the powers to order any sort of livestock cull.

But I assume the Countryside Stewardship payments will have grazing conditions. I'm not that familiar with the details of agri-environment schemes, especially the new ones.

From what I heard on the TV, the Countryside Stewardship contract isn't distinguishing between "good" grazing (pony and cattle) and "bad" grazing (sheep). But the contracts are drawn up by DEFRA, Natural England only advises, and you can understand why DEFRA might want to let the farmers decide how they met grazing targets, even if this wasn't in the best interests of biodiversity.