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Dartmoor pony meat sold by conservation charity in bid to maintain population numbers | Dartmoor pony meat sold by conservation charity in bid to maintain population numbers |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A conservation charity has begun selling pony meat in order to save the endangered Dartmoor Hill pony. | A conservation charity has begun selling pony meat in order to save the endangered Dartmoor Hill pony. |
The meat will be made into sausages and steaks and can be bought at farmers’ markets and restaurants in Devon. | The meat will be made into sausages and steaks and can be bought at farmers’ markets and restaurants in Devon. |
In a statement on its website, the charity said the decision was made to encourage farmers to conserve them. | In a statement on its website, the charity said the decision was made to encourage farmers to conserve them. |
The number of Dartmoor ponies has fallen from more than 25,000 in the 1930s to less than 800 today. | The number of Dartmoor ponies has fallen from more than 25,000 in the 1930s to less than 800 today. |
400 foals a year are shot by farmers - which the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association says is "not acceptable". | 400 foals a year are shot by farmers - which the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association says is "not acceptable". |
It said: "Due to the economic problems being felt in this country and abroad, the sale of horses and ponies has dramatically decreased. For semi-feral herds across the UK this has become a huge problem. | It said: "Due to the economic problems being felt in this country and abroad, the sale of horses and ponies has dramatically decreased. For semi-feral herds across the UK this has become a huge problem. |
"During the last few years many Dartmoor farmers have stopped keeping ponies as they are no longer viable and unless a way can be found to make them profitable the remaining farmers will have to do the same. | "During the last few years many Dartmoor farmers have stopped keeping ponies as they are no longer viable and unless a way can be found to make them profitable the remaining farmers will have to do the same. |
"Hill Farmers can’t afford to keep luxuries and this will mean that the Moor won’t be grazed properly...and would become vastly overgrown. | "Hill Farmers can’t afford to keep luxuries and this will mean that the Moor won’t be grazed properly...and would become vastly overgrown. |
"[This] not only prevents the vital income brought by tourists but also greatly damaging the habitats of a number of insects and birds and other animals." | "[This] not only prevents the vital income brought by tourists but also greatly damaging the habitats of a number of insects and birds and other animals." |
The charity said pony meat had already proven popular with local hoteliers as it "low in fat, high in omega 3, organic and delicious like venison". | The charity said pony meat had already proven popular with local hoteliers as it "low in fat, high in omega 3, organic and delicious like venison". |
Ponies will not enter the food chain until they are at least three years old giving them "three summers running free on the moor". | Ponies will not enter the food chain until they are at least three years old giving them "three summers running free on the moor". |
But other conservation groups are skeptical about the plans. | But other conservation groups are skeptical about the plans. |
When the DPHA first proposed selling pony meat last year, another local conservation group - South West Equine Protection (SWEP) - said "it would be very upsetting to look at foals which in six months' time could be in someone's burger". | When the DPHA first proposed selling pony meat last year, another local conservation group - South West Equine Protection (SWEP) - said "it would be very upsetting to look at foals which in six months' time could be in someone's burger". |
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