New Forest Commoners recognised as a national minority

New Forest Commoners have been formally recognised by the UK Government as a national minority under the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM).

It represents a significant milestone for the protection of New Forest Commoners and their traditional way of life.

The Government has confirmed that while not yet explicitly named as a distinct group within the framework, New Forest Commoners are nonetheless entitled to the full rights and protections provided under the FCNM.

The letter also offered reassurance that Commoning culture will be safeguarded in the context of any future devolution or local government reorganisation.

The UK’s approach to the FCNM is reviewed on a five-year cycle, and it is anticipated that New Forest Commoners will be formally named in the next reporting round as part of this process. In the meantime, this recognition marks a highly positive step forward, confirming that Commoners’ interests must now be properly considered and protected.

Importantly, this status places clear obligations on emerging local authorities — including the proposed Mid Hampshire and Southwest Hampshire unitary authorities, as well as a Hampshire and Solent mayoral authority — to uphold and support the Commoning way of life.

This includes ensuring meaningful representation and due regard in decision-making that affects the Forest, particularly in areas such as land use, grazing, and rural management.

The Commoners Defence Association will be seeking further clarity from Government on how these obligations will be implemented in practice. This is especially relevant in light of recent developments affecting the Waterside area and the ongoing need to protect vital backup grazing land.

Looking ahead, this recognition may also open up new funding opportunities to support Commoners and the organisations that work alongside them to sustain the Forest’s unique landscape and traditions.

This important achievement has been secured by the New Forest Commoners Defence Association, thanks to the work of our chair Andrew Parry-Norton and Brice Stratford, with support from Julian Lewis, the New Forest National Park Authority, New Forest District Council, New Forest Association of Local Councils and the New Forest Cultural Council.

Together, this recognition represents a major step in securing the future of Commoning — ensuring that its cultural, environmental and economic importance is recognised at the highest level.