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Dartmoor ponies could be subject to mass culling to reduce the impact on biodiversity after a controversial ruling by the governmentâs environmental quango
Natural England has demanded that all livestock grazing on the moor is reduced by about 75 per cent to protect other habitats, plants and species
The move looks set to result in the culling of up to nine in ten of the semi-wild ponies as farmers prioritise their own cattle and sheep to remain within Natural Englandâs limit to minimise the impact on their own livelihoods
Natural England argued that the move was necessary to protect the diversity of Dartmoor, which is a designated site of special scientific interest
However, the plan goes against a government commissioned review into the future of Dartmoor, published two years ago, which concluded that Natural England âshould not take actions likely to result in a reduction in pony numbersâ, adding they were âinvaluable for conservation grazingâ
The move has led to claims that the quango is acting as judge, jury and executioner of the ponies â a species which is itself seen as endangered
Dartmoor ponies could be put to death under biodiversity plans
thetimes.com/article/ba529f3âŠ