Dartmoor MPs call for independent inquiry into management of the Moor

Dartmoor MPs, The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Cox KC MP for Torridge and West Devon, Sir Gary Streeter MP for South West Devon and Anthony Mangnall MP for Totnes have joined in writing to the Secretary of State for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs calling on her to set up an independent process to inquire into the means of achieving a proper balance between the various competing public interests and goods in Dartmoor’s complex environment.

They have also held preliminary discussions with the farming minister and with DNPA.

The MPs’ joint statement said:

1. “We strongly believe the only way to achieve the complex balancing of the public interests on Dartmoor, and to gain the consensus necessary, is for an independent inquiry into the way forward to take place.

2. After the Dartmoor Farming Forum organised by Sir Geoffrey Cox KC MP last summer, which the Chief Executive of Natural England attended, a working group consisting of all relevant parties was set up and commenced meetings to achieve some consensus on a practical approach, reflecting the fact that Dartmoor is a complex environment in which competing public interests and goods must be balanced in a manner that promotes them all.

3. This working group developed a proposal to

• Appoint an independent facilitator paid for jointly by all partners into which all would 'buy in'.

• That person would work to identify and document all of the issues by talking to all of the stakeholders (the issues include but are not limited to: how SSSIs are notified and monitored; the link between the common and home farms; the continued viability of farm businesses, how to manage stock on the commons given the pressure from visitors, dogs and, on some, the impact of military training; environmental pressures etc.)

• They would then prepare an action plan to address the issues and a ‘road map’ on the way ahead.

4. Agreement from all stakeholders was achieved to this process in December 2022 and a brief was drafted by Natural England but not yet circulated to all parties for comment and agreement.

5. It seems that valuable and constructive work has now been abandoned by Natural England which has issued apparently peremptory limits on grazing, which would have a significant adverse impact on farm businesses (especially tenants), rendering some, if not many, no longer viable. It would also destroy the ancient traditional hefted flocks, which instinctively know the boundaries of their own common and are themselves a prized part of the unique life and culture of Dartmoor.

6. No consultation with any relevant authority or association charged with responsibility for the complex environment on Dartmoor, such as the Dartmoor National Park Authority, or the Dartmoor Commoners Council or the Dartmoor Owners’ Association was undertaken. The communications came out of the blue. Sadly, some would say that is not uncommon of the conduct of Natural England on Dartmoor.

7. In our view, that process must be revived and include an independent examination of the ecological requirements of sensitive sites on Dartmoor and the relevance of traditional grazing to them. It is essential the process should command widespread public confidence including from all those who are responsible for the management of Dartmoor. Sadly, after recent developments, there has been a very serious deterioration of trust between the regulator and those it regulates, and we no longer believe Natural England’s policy and approach to Dartmoor, left to itself, can command that confidence.

8. We have a clear proposal:

1. A 12-month extension of all current agri-environment agreements

2. The appointment of an independent facilitator paid for jointly by all partners and into which all 'buy in'.

3. That person would work to identify and document all relevant issues and would

4. Then prepare an action plan to address the issues and a ‘road map’ on the way ahead."