16/06/2026
Are Saqib Bhatti and Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP telling the truth?
Both of our local Conservative MPs have posted very similar stories and links today asking people to help them 'protect Dartmoor ponies' from 'Starmer's slaughter'. Neil has just posted a link, while Saqib repeats the line that 'up to 90% of the ...wild ponies' could disappear.
We thought we'd see what the issue was...
National England, the body named in the petition, has stated that the claims are categorically not true, nor is it true to suggest any scheme has been designed with the aim of achieving this.
They state that "We are actively encouraging the continued presence of ponies as part of a balanced, well‑managed landscape. Dartmoor ponies play a vital role for nature on the moor due to the way they graze, in addition to their huge cultural value."
"Our role is to provide independent, evidence‑based advice on how to protect and restore Dartmoor’s internationally important habitats and wildlife."
"Much of Dartmoor’s moorland is currently in poor condition with wildlife and biodiversity continuing to decline. This also has implications for people with degraded moorland increasing the risk of flooding alongside worsening the impacts of other risks associated with climate change. Restoring moorland is essential for wildlife and for the communities who depend on it. Our advice to landowners and farmers on how the moors can be grazed supports this goal. It is based on evidence and developed in discussion with those who manage the land and government who fund the various land management schemes."
"Ponies are an important conservation grazer on Dartmoor and it is vital their role is maintained. They are a key part of the wider system to maintain the mix of habitats on the moor and to prevent overdominance of coarser grasses like Molinia.""
We are working in partnership with commoners, landowners and organisations such as the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association and Dartmoor Land Use Management Group to support both nature recovery and the long‑term future of Dartmoor ponies, and to ensure a much more certain future for those that farm on the moor."
You can read their full statement and their detailed points refuting the claims here: https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/09/dartmoor-ponies-clarification-of-natural-englands-role-and-position/
