{"value":{"id":1908682,"askingMemberId":5216,"askingMember":null,"house":"Commons","memberHasInterest":false,"dateTabled":"2026-05-21T00:00:00","dateForAnswer":"2026-06-01T00:00:00","uin":"3916","questionText":"To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of grazing density calculations on Dartmoor pony populations.","answeringBodyId":13,"answeringBodyName":"Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs","isWithdrawn":false,"isNamedDay":false,"groupedQuestions":[],"answerIsHolding":false,"answerIsCorrection":false,"answeringMemberId":491,"answeringMember":null,"correctingMemberId":null,"correctingMember":null,"dateAnswered":"2026-06-02T00:00:00","answerText":"<p>Defra has assessed the impact of including ponies in grazing density calculations under Countryside Stewardship schemes and considers that this supports the sustainability of Dartmoor pony populations.</p><p> </p><p>Inclusion ensures ponies are recognised within scheme payments, including Native Breed support for Dartmoor Hill Ponies, and reflects evidence of their ecological value in controlling dominant vegetation and supporting biodiversity.</p><p> </p><p>Defra will continue to monitor impacts on Dartmoor pony populations and consider mitigations where necessary to ensure their long‑term sustainability.</p>","originalAnswerText":"","comparableAnswerText":"","dateAnswerCorrected":null,"dateHoldingAnswer":null,"attachmentCount":0,"heading":"Horses: Dartmoor","attachments":[],"groupedQuestionsDates":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Questions/1908682","method":"GET"}]}