Agricultural biological diversity and the extensively grazing, semi-wild, Fell pony a summary of some relevant issues

David Anthony Murray, FRGS, 2011 (Unpublished) Introduction The following summary of proposed and implemented incentives are relevant to the reports by David Murray on the value of native ponies within wildlife, and including wild flower species, conservation (See Fell Pony and Welsh Mountain pony Section A Reports). The authors personal comments are in bold.

A PROPOSAL Fell ponies grazing extensively within agricultural systems should be recognised officially as biological diversity by National Government. Government should implement appropriate incentives in support of such Fell ponies, breed lines and Fell pony breeders.

Scope of Agricultural Biodiversity - Definitions Agricultural biodiversity includes all components of biological diversity of relevance to food and agriculture, and all components of biological diversity that constitute the agro-ecosystem: the variety of animals at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels, which are necessary to sustain key functions at the agro-ecosystem Agricultural biodiversity is managed by farmers (1, p21).

For domestic animals, diversity within species is at least as important as diversity between species (1, p22). The interaction between the environment, genetic resources and management practices that occurs in situ within agro-ecosystems often contributes to maintaining a dynamic portfolio of agricultural biodiversity (1, p22). Agricultural biodiversity includes animal genetic resourcesincluding cultivated species, domesticated species and components of agricultural biodiversity that provide ecological services (1, p22-23). This definition encompasses semi-wild, extensively grazing Fell ponies within (and without) agricultural systems, particularly, but not exclusively related to: maintenance and enhancement of local wildlife and habitats in their landscape, erosion control, socioeconomic and cultural dimensions, traditional and local knowledge of biodiversity, cultural factors and participatory processes, tourism associated with agricultural landscapes (and) other socio economic factors (p, 23).

European directives 1. Farmers and indigenous and local people contribute to biodiversity. 2. These groups require INCENTIVES, information exchange and public awareness to assist them in the conservation of biological diversity (1, p1). 3. Actions from government and organisations should support sustainable farming and food production systems that maintain agricultural biodiversity (1, p1). 4. Plant genetic resources should be protected. 5. Components of biological diversity that are responsible for sustaining agriculture, including pollinators, are a priority. 6. A plan of action to restore, promote and conserve pollinator diversity should be implemented. 7. The implications of genetic use restriction technologies should be researched. 8. The potential risks and negative impacts of genetic use restriction technologies should be assessed. 9. The impact of ecological and socio-economic effects of any adverse affects on biological diversity should be assessed.

10. The potential impacts of genetic use restriction technologies on indigenous communities and on Farmers rights should be considered. Biodiversity recommendations the semi-wild, extensively grazing Fell pony 1. Sustainable agriculture and rural development are major aims (1, p8), particularly to promote the positive effects of agricultural systems and practices on biological diversity in agro-ecosystems. 2. National strategies, programmes and action plans should promote agricultural biodiversity (which should include the Fell pony). 3. A Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture must include a strategy to save extensively grazing Fell ponies (and other semi-wild native breed ponies) from extinction. 4. The Fell pony should be part of the strategy to manage Farm Animal Genetic Resources particularly with reference to the introduction of access, benefit sharing, sustainable use and alien breeds. 5. Any approach should take into account scientific, social and economic issues (1, p9). 6. A comprehensive analysis of us and trends of the Fell pony, which should be considered to be part of biological diversity, is needed. 7. Interactions between agricultural practices, sustainable agriculture and sustainable use of the components of biodiversity should be examined. Such biodiversity should include the Fell pony. 8. The loss of agricultural biodiversity is not clearly understood, including the loss of Fell pony herds in northern England. 9. The use of Fell ponies within the uplands should be identified as a biodiversity-friendly agricultural practice (1, p10). More research is needed. 10. Guidelines are needed to monitor, assess the status and trends of agricultural biodiversity, which should include the Fell pony. 11. A report on the status of the worlds world equine genetic resources in 2010 is relevant to the Fell pony. 12. Greater understanding and awareness of the multiple goods and services provided by the Fell pony as part of biological diversity (and for the sustainable productivity of agricultural systems) is needed (1, p 13) to enhance productivity and capacity to sustain livelihoods (1, p 13).

13. Management should focus particularly on under-utilized and neglected varieties of breeds such as the Fell pony (1, p14). 14. Halting the loss of Fell pony breed-lines will mitigate against vulnerability and reduced adaptability to changing environments and needs (1, p14) within the complex range of habitats occupied by Fell ponies. 15. Cost-effective practices to sustain livelihoods of Fell pony farmer-breeders are urgently required based upon comprehensive analysis (1, p 15). 16. Local and indigenous knowledge of Fell ponies should be promoted. 17. There should be economically and socially sound measures that act as incentives (1, p 15) for Fell pony breeders of extensively grazing ponies. 18. Although case studies (are being) carried out and planned, the importance of the Fell pony as a relevant stakeholder probably has been underestimated because: (i) breeders are poorly represented on many influential committees; (ii) the geographical breeding area of the Fell pony has diminished considerably during the last two decades, leaving no Fell pony representation for many commons, moorlands, mountains and marshes; (iii) the extensively grazing Fell ponys demise and importance within the agricultural system has been poorly promoted by scientific lobby or by government proposal. 19. Regional programmes of case studies of focused research activities (1, p16) on the Fell pony (and all extensively grazing populations of native ponies within Britain, and endemic ponies throughout Europe) is urgently needed. 20. Management of Fell pony herds has, so far, not met the directive of strengthening the capacity of farmers to manage sustainable agricultural biodiversity so as to increase their benefits and to promote awareness and responsible action (1, p16). 21. Mechanisms must be better developed not only to consult the stakeholder group, referred to here as extensively grazing pony breeders and the Fell Pony Society, but also to facilitate their genuine participation in decision-making and in the sharing of benefits (1, p17). Their knowledge and practices could be better harnessed to improve the management of various aspects of biological diversity at the level of the agro-ecosystem (1, p17). 22. The capacity of indigenous and local (Fell pony breeders) for the development of strategies and methodologies for in situ conservation building on indigenous knowledge systems (1, p17) must be enhanced.
4

23. Because Fell pony breeders represent a minority local group, their participation in the development and implementation of national strategies, plans and programmes (1, p17) may be overlooked. 24. Whilst feral and wild relatives (1, p20) with respect to pony breeds are defined clearly, the concept of semi-wild, extensively grazing animals is less clearly defined, either from a genetic or environmental perspective.

Relevant feedback from CBD COP 2010 in Japan Forty-seven biodiversity targets for 2020 were adopted. Decisions for action during COP10 (3, p6) outline issues relevant to the need to protect and conserve Fell ponies within their natural habitats. This includes: (i) plant conservation, (ii) education and public awareness, (iii) coastal biodiversity, (iv) procedures to help conserve mountain biodiversity which are particularly relevant to the Fell pony because of its geographical range, which is currently diminishing, (v) protected areas and the value of the Fell pony as a conservation grazer, (vi) biodiversity and climate change, because of the ponys ability to adapt to a wide climatic range; (vii) agricultural biodiversity, (viii) forest biodiversity.

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, 2011 This published strategy is aimed at reversing biodiversity loss and speeding up the EUs transition towards a resource efficient and green economy It is an integral part of the Europe 2020 Strategy (2, p1) and is a European Union and Global mandate for action. The Framework for action for the next decade (3, p4) has six targets: conserving and restoring nature, maintaining and enhancing ecosystems and their services, ensuring the sustainability of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, combating invasive alien species, addressing the global biodiversity crisis, contributions from other environmental policies and initiatives (3, p5-7). The strategy emphasises partnerships, mobilising resources to support biodiversity and ecosystem services, a common implementation strategy (and) follow up (3, p8-10).

Conclusion: Status of the Fell pony

Government should, with all haste, recognise that the Fell pony is biodiversity and must be protected within the European Commission strategy. Government can proactively assist in the conservation, promotion and enhancement of remaining extensively grazing breed-lines, particularly, but not exclusively, those in situ herds within agricultural systems or grazing within other ecosystems and habitats. Immediate action will mean that we shall, within the UK, be able to provide sufficient conservation grazing ponies to meet future requirements for habitat management from our own native stock.

References: 1. European Commission: Agricultural biological diversity: review of phase 1 of the programme of work and adoption of a multi-year work programme, COP 5 Decision V/5, 22.4.2010, 24 pages. 2. European Commission: Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy for 2020, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, The Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, COM (2011) 244 final, [SEC (2011) 540 final, SEC (2011) 541 final, Brussels, 3.5.2011], 16 pages. 3. Feedback from the UN CBD (United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity) COP10, Nagoya, Japan, 18-29 October 2010 (3), 11 pages.

D A Murray, October 2011

6