Wild Justice launches legal action over Dartmoor grazing

Wild Justice is taking legal action against the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council (DCC) in the High Court, alleging it has failed to meet its statutory duties in maintaining the commons and protecting Dartmoor’s environment.

Dartmoor National Park, a large area of protected land in England, includes numerous sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) and special areas of conservation (SACs) where overgrazing and habitat degradation have become significant concerns.

Wild Justice claims that the DCC has failed to control overgrazing, which is required under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985.

The council is also accused of not considering the conservation and enhancement of the commons, as required under the Act.

See also: Wild Justice threatens legal action over Dartmoor grazing

The move follows a lengthy dispute between Natural England and the Dartmoor commoners, with the government agency trying to force a reduction in stocking levels on parts of the moor by resetting Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements.

However, Wild Justice wants swifter action and it contends that the failure to regulate overgrazing, particularly by sheep in winter, is a key factor hindering the recovery of Dartmoor’s protected habitats.

They argue that enforcing existing legislation, rather than creating new committees or bodies (as suggested in the Fursdon Review in December 2023), is crucial to improving the condition of Dartmoor’s wildlife and natural habitats.

The High Court will now consider Wild Justice’s application, which may result in a formal hearing to determine whether the DCC is meeting its legal responsibilities.

Wild Justice is represented by Carol Day and Ricardo Gama from the law firm Leigh Day.

The outcome of this legal action could have significant implications for the management of Dartmoor’s commons, potentially leading to stronger enforcement of conservation laws and better protection of the area’s unique habitats.

DCC response

A spokesperson for Dartmoor Commoners’ Council said: “It has been and remains well publicised that Wild Justice are advancing a judicial review claim against Dartmoor Commoners’ Council.

“The council and its members obviously take the welfare of the
common very seriously.

“Dartmoor Commoners’ Council actively participated in the Fursdon Report and are focused on the recommendations made by that report and engagement with the Land Use Management Group once established.”