ISSUES affecting the moor were brought under the spotlight recently when West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox met with key representatives from the Dartmoor National Park Authority.

The proposed relaxation of planning laws was a key topic of discussion between Bill Hitchins, DNPA chairman, chief executive Kevin Bishop and Mr Cox, with the MP firmly stating that while he believed some moderate relaxation of the current planning laws was positive, a total relaxation was not.

He said: 'The proposals as they stand to relax planning laws on Dartmoor are simply not practical. I will be taking this matter up with the Secretary of State, alongside the other Dartmoor MPs who I know share similar views.'

Also discussed at the meeting were the new control measures for Bovine TB, which state that two-monthly testing would be required. It was felt that the nature of farming on Dartmoor meant that this was simply not going to work, given that it would take many weeks for herds to be brought in.

Mr Cox said: 'The idea that Dartmoor farmers would be able to test their herds every two months is simply not realistic or practical due to the nature of farming in this area. With this in mind I will also be raising this issue with the Secretary of State.

'It is important that on all these issues the unique nature of Dartmoor is taken into account and we do what is right and practical for those living and working on the moor.'