Kemi Badenoch today led anger at the prospect of a 'mass slaughter' of ponies on Dartmoor. 

There are fears that nine in 10 of the animals could be culled after a ruling from Natural England that grazing must be reduced by 75 per cent.

The quango insists it issued the edict to protect the delicate habitat. But critics say farmers are likely to react by slaughtering the ponies instead of their cattle and sheep.

They are technically owned by the farmers, despite roaming wild across the land where they have been for thousands of years.

There are currently believed to be fewer than 1,000 of the creatures, down from an estimated 7,000 in 1999.

The species was classed as endangered by the United Nations in 2023 and also features on the Government's list of at-risk native species. 

A government-commissioned review into the future of Dartmoor published two years ago warned Natural England not to 'take actions likely to result in a reduction in pony numbers'.

Mrs Badenoch said: 'This is total madness from another unaccountable quango. The government must overrule Natural England and stop it immediately. 

'Keir Starmer is on his way to making his last acts in office the shameful underfunding of our military and the mass slaughter of Dartmoor ponies.' 

Natural England has insisted it has not ordered a cull. In a recent blog 'clarifying' its position, the body said: 'We are aware of concerns that including ponies in livestock unit calculations could lead to some land managers favouring more commercially profitable cattle or sheep. 

'Our advisers work closely with individual agreement holders to provide tailored advice to improve nature and support businesses.'

The organisation said: 'Much of Dartmoor's moorland is currently in unfavourable condition, restoring it is vital for wildlife and for the communities that depend on it. 

'Our advice on grazing management is part of that effort. It is evidence-based, it is developed in dialogue with those who manage the land. 

'Natural England is committed to the long-term future of Dartmoor ponies and is working in partnership with commoners, landowners, and organisations such as the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association to achieve that.' 

Ponies have roamed free on Dartmoor for at least four millennia, with fossilised hoof prints found at the bottom of a Bronze Age ditch.

Joss Hibbs, secretary of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association, told the Times: 'Natural England is putting ponies in direct competition with commercial livestock who pay the farmers' bills. 

'Their plans disregard the scientific evidence and could decimate an endangered species that has been a feature of the landscape for over 4,500 years.'

'Natural England appeared determined to disregard the scientific evidence and they have all the powers.

'Farmers want to keep their hill pony herds as they are central to their tradition and culture, but are given a Hobson's Choice between cattle and ponies if they are to financially survive.'