Expert Recommendations for Managing Protected Sites on Dartmoor

On December 12, an independent review has released its findings on managing protected areas on Dartmoor, aiming to balance environmentally sustainable practices with food production, public accessibility, and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.

This review was initiated by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) in response to concerns raised by stakeholders regarding potential modifications to winter grazing practices on Dartmoor. Chaired by David Fursdon, the review presents an impartial overview of moorland management, grounded in over 150 written contributions and more than 200 discussions held over three and a half months with various stakeholders, including commoners, Dartmoor National Park Authority, and Natural England.

The review puts forth a series of recommendations directed at the Government, Natural England, Dartmoor National Park Authority, and commoners. These encompass a wide range of topics, including governance and vision, operational frameworks, communication, agri-environment agreements, and methods for managing vegetation and grazing. The Government is anticipated to provide a detailed response in the upcoming months.

Key Recommendations Include:

• Establishment of an independently chaired Dartmoor Land-Use Management Group tasked with creating a comprehensive land use framework for Dartmoor, enhancing Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) conditions, and pinpointing areas for data collection to inform the development of protected site management strategies.
• Implementation of actions to promote effective vegetation management, which includes conservation grazing by cattle and ponies, controlled burning, and exploring how to manage sheep during winter months to safeguard vulnerable heather and dwarf shrub populations.
• Creation of a cohesive overarching agri-environment scheme or multiple aligned schemes that align with Dartmoor’s proposed plan, supporting a vision for Landscape Recovery.
• Enhancement of transparency regarding the monitoring and management of protected sites in accordance with proposals set forth in Defra’s Nature Recovery Green Paper.
• Increased staffing resources for Natural England and the establishment of partnerships aimed at rebuilding trust and confidence within the Dartmoor community.

Insights from Farming Minister Mark Spencer:

Dartmoor must not stagnate or revert to its historical state; hence, it is crucial that all stakeholders heed the review’s findings to effectively promote food production, public access, and heritage while achieving essential improvements for nature.

I extend my gratitude to David Fursdon and the panel for their diligent efforts in this significant review.

Comments from David Fursdon, Chair of the Review:

This is a critical moment for all parties involved with Dartmoor to unite against challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity decline, working together to protect and enhance the moor’s natural environment. Commoners play an essential role in sustainable management and grazing practices, alongside efforts to restore degraded peatlands.

There are concerns regarding the lack of clarity in the monitoring and evaluating processes of protected sites. Our recommended changes aim to enhance transparency and collaborative decision-making among commoners, Natural England, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), and others using evidence-based approaches.

Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, Remarks:

I applaud this significant report and express gratitude to David Fursdon, the panel members, and all contributors for their dedication. We will collaborate with Defra, the RPA, and our partners on Dartmoor to consider these recommendations and implement the final decisions as necessary.

We particularly anticipate initiatives that will foster collaboration among all parties to discover joint solutions. This will enable us to meet our legally mandated environmental goals while appropriately rewarding commoners for conservation grazing that supports both nature-friendly practices and profitable agricultural operations across Dartmoor.

The review emphasizes the importance of thoughtful management in the upcoming negotiations for the extension of Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), as certain one-year extensions may expire in early 2024.

The Farming Minister will be reaching out to HLS Agreement Holders on Dartmoor to inform them that they will be contacted prior to the expiration of their agreements.

Further Information