UK Defra Will Continue Calculating Dartmoor Pony Stocking Rates Separately

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced it will not link Dartmoor pony numbers to overall livestock stocking rates on Dartmoor National Park in England. Experts welcomed the decision as positive for both the ponies’ genetic preservation and the biodiversity of the moorland habitat. Ponies willingly graze Molinia grass, which impedes heathland restoration, and their hoof action helps maintain vegetation diversity.

The decision follows an independent evidence review completed in 2023 that recommended separating pony populations from stocking rate calculations. Some scientists note the decision appears driven by public concern over declining pony numbers rather than detailed ecological consideration. They emphasize that grazing impact depends on vegetation type, condition, and timing, and that bracken and Molinia grass contribute to habitat decline.

DEFRA acknowledges that a holistic view of the grazing system is needed, with varying levels required across different parts of the moor to address historic over- or under-grazing. The long-term impact will depend on how this approach is implemented and integrated with other land management practices.