Campaigners warn Natural England's new conservation contracts could lead to the cull of up to 90% of Dartmoor's endangered hill ponies, a breed present for 4,500 years. The government insists no cull will be allowed.
Plans to reduce livestock numbers on Dartmoor, intended to combat overgrazing, have sparked fears of a cull of up to 90% of its semi-wild ponies. MPs and Natural England are urging the government to create an exemption for the ponies, which are crucial for managing specific vegetation.
Natural England and MPs are urging the government to revise livestock rules that could lead to a cull of Dartmoor ponies. Current Defra policies fail to differentiate between sheep and ponies, potentially forcing commoners to reduce pony numbers to meet destocking targets aimed at preventing overgrazing.
Model horses are a hobby not many are familiar with. But collectors say it should not be reduced to playing with toys.
