DARTMOOR Preservation Association has re-affirmed its commitment to the traditional small-scale farmers on the moors, in a new policy statement.
The statement calls for a reduction in bureaucracy, more help to source locally produced food into shops, a commitment to promote farmers? markets and a policy of resistance to enclosure of open moorland.
The DPA has also pledged to encourage the government and Europe to provide funds for conservation-friendly farming practices and the employment of shepherds.
Launching the first of several policy statements on Dartmoor land use on Tuesday, DPA chief executive, John Bainbridge, said: ?The Dartmoor Preservation Association was established in 1883 to protect Dartmoor farmers who were losing valuable grazing lands to enclosure.
?We have consistently supported traditional farming ever since and have a number of farmers and commoners who are DPA members.?
The document includes pledges to campaign for better public transport on Dartmoor, and to improve grazing by reducing the amount of bracken on the moor.
Mr Bainbridge added: ?Dartmoor has been farmed since the Bronze Age. Working together with Dartmoor?s farmers, we can all have a Dartmoor that is prosperous as well as beautiful.?