Passports needed for drift ponies

The autumn pony sales begin on Friday 7 October

The annual Dartmoor Pony drifts have started with hundreds of ponies being brought in for the autumn sales.

This year, for the first time, it is compulsory for every pony leaving the moor to have a passport.

Concerns have been raised that the cost of the paperwork is often higher than individual ponies fetch at market.

Now a scheme is being trialled with farmers paying £1 towards the cost of the documents and the remainder being met by the buyer.

Pony passports are designed to protect human health in those countries where eating horse meat is common.

Some farmers have claimed the cost - up to £30 per animal - will result in fewer ponies being kept on the moor.

The autumn sales begin on Friday 7 October.