Rachel Gilmour MP brands Exmoor pony fears "scaremongering" after Natural England sets record straight

Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, has branded a recent story on Exmoor's ponies as scaremongering, after a West Somerset Free Press article falsely implied the breed faces the same threat as Dartmoor's hill ponies.

The West Somerset Free Press piece, published on 31st May, reported that Natural England's new grazing contracts on Dartmoor threaten to remove up to 90 per cent of the national park's semi-wild hill ponies, with the contracts potentially coming into force before the end of the year. The article raised concerns that similar proposals could soon be imposed on Exmoor.

Following the article, Ms Gilmour immediately contacted Claire Newill, Deputy Director for Wessex at Natural England, whose team advises farmers and landowners across Exmoor. During their phone call, it was made clear that there are no threats to ponies grazing on Exmoor and that the situation on Dartmoor has nothing to do with Exmoor.

Rachel Gilmour MP for Tiverton and Minehead said:

"I am glad to have got to the bottom of false claims about the grazing and welfare of our beloved Exmoor ponies, and I'm grateful to Natural England for setting out the true situation.

“It is highly irresponsible to perpetrate inaccurate and downright false information. Scaremongering and making my constituents fearful of the future of our Exmoor ponies is not something a responsible newspaper should even countenance.”

David Wallace, Chairman of the Exmoor Pony Society, said:

"The Exmoor Pony Society will continue to work with all stakeholders who have a say in how the moors and commons of Exmoor are grazed. Prescribed Natural England agreements developed in consultation with landowners and managers will continue to yield the best outcomes. Registered Exmoor Ponies continue to play their part in the successful grazing and shaping of our unique landscape."