Natural England and MPs call for rule change to stop Dartmoor pony cull
Natural England and MPs are calling for a change in government livestock policies to prevent a mass cull of Dartmoor ponies. The current rules fail to distinguish between ponies and sheep, leading to overgrazing concerns that threaten the moor's biodiversity.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between environmental conservation efforts and the preservation of cultural heritage and local livestock practices.
There are fewer than 1,000 Dartmoor hill ponies on the moor, down from about 7,000 at the turn of the century, according to the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association. Photograph: Jim Wileman/The Guardian View image in fullscreen There are fewer than 1,000 Dartmoor hill ponies on the moor, down from about 7,000 at the turn of the century, according to the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association. Photograph: Jim Wileman/The Guardian Dartmoor Natural England and MPs call for rule change to stop Dartmoor pony cull Exclusive: Sources say Defra drafted policy on livestock fails to distinguish between ponies and sheep
The article presents both the environmental concerns regarding overgrazing and the opposition to the cull, citing multiple stakeholders.
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