NEW Forest Verderers are considering limiting the number of livestock allowed to graze the forest lawns.

At the end of June there were 7,142 animals owned by New Forest commoners munching their way through the grass and tender shoots of bushes and trees.

That figure was made up of 4,488 ponies, 2,475 cattle, 14 pigs, 29 sheep and 126 donkeys.

At the July Verderers’ court, Official Verderer Olive Crosthwaite Eyre said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned that the number of animals depastured on to the forest may start to increase over the next year or so.

“If this does happen then there could be implications for the ability of the forest to sustain the herd.”

He said measures to be considered could include encouraging commoners to remove animals from the forest and getting them to “resist the temptation” to put further stock out on to the forest to graze.

Financial incentives may also be made through Defra’s Countryside Stewardship scheme.

“We are anxious that the owners of the animals have ample time to weigh up their options and manage their stock accordingly,” he said.

Graham Ferris, chairman of the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association, later said the increase in the number of animals had been noted.

“There is a desirable upper limit set and we want to take steps so that members stay within those agreed limits,” he said. However, he could not comment further because it is not yet known what will be proposed by the Verderers.

At the same meeting Mr Ferris had made a presentment asking the Verderers to support a request to the Forestry Commission to cut back invasive bracken and control rabbits, both of which eat into the amount of grass for grazing stock.

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