Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the potential merits inclusion of ponies in grazing densities under Countryside Stewardship schemes.

Including ponies in grazing density calculations ensures the total grazing pressure on a site is accurately assessed and aligned with sustainable levels for habitat recovery. This prevents the risk of underestimating grazing impacts, which could otherwise lead to overgrazing and damage to sensitive habitats. Including ponies also improves fairness and transparency, as all grazing animals are accounted for in stocking records. From an ecological perspective, ponies contribute significantly to vegetation management, so excluding them would distort management decisions.

Within Countryside Stewardship, ponies are recognised similarly to cattle and land grazed by them can attract agri‑environment payments, providing an incentive to maintain their presence. The scheme also treats resident ponies as a permanent feature, meaning they are exempt from stock removal requirements. Overall, this approach supports habitat recovery, helps maintain favourable condition on protected sites, and contributes to meeting wider environmental targets.