Sir Keir Starmer has been asked to ensure Dartmoor ponies are not shot, amid growing fears they could face a mass cull. A petition has been launched following claims that the beloved moorland grazers could be killed off by an unelected quango in Whitehall in pusuit of eco-policies, although officials insist the horses are safe.
Natural England has demanded a 75 per cent cut in the number of animals grazing on the moor. Defenders of the species say this would amount to around 90 per cent of Dartmoor ponies being killed off. There are just shy of 1,000 ponies currently grazing, but critics claim Natural England has them in their crosshairs, despite Number 10 insisting Dartmoor hill ponies “are safe under this Government”.
Conservative MP Dr Neil Hudson MP, 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.”
Dartmoor ponies have grazed in the area for thousands of years. But Natural England is including Dartmoor hill ponies in livestock counts under its new moorland agri-environmental schemes that provide payments for farmers for grazing upland in ways that benefit nature.
Campaigners warn the new schemes will cut livestock, including ponies, by 56% to 89%, even though they say previous cuts to stocking densities – which the ponies were previously protected from – have not boosted biodiversity on Dartmoor.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “So, let me be very clear on this: this government will not allow a cull of Dartmoor ponies and we don’t manage feral pony populations by culling in this country.
“Natural England has not recommended a cull of Dartmoor ponies and it does not have the power to order a cull and has not advised one.
“And, more broadly, Dartmoor ponies are part of the cultural landscape of Dartmoor and play a vital role in the health of its moorland habitats.”
The ponies are “safe under this government”, she added.
An Environment Department (Defra) spokesperson said: “Dartmoor ponies are an important part of Dartmoor’s heritage and also key to supporting the habitats of Dartmoor.
“Natural England are not recommending a cull and this government wouldn’t support one.”