The dates for this year’s New Forest pannage season have been confirmed.

Pigs will be turned out by Commoners across the Forest from Monday, 14 September until Sunday, 29 November.

Visitors are reminded to keep a safe distance from pigs and other livestock, and to follow the New Forest Code when travelling through the Forest.

Please also take extra care when driving, as animals may be close to or on the roads.

Pannage is one of the New Forest’s oldest commoning traditions.

During the season, Commoners turn out pigs onto the Forest to feed on fallen acorns, beechmast and other nuts.

This helps protect the Forest’s ponies, cattle and other livestock from the effects of eating too many acorns, which can be harmful and potentially fatal.

The next pony sales at Beaulieu Road, scheduled to take place in early October, has been cancelled.

It comes amid the ongoing outbreak of equine flu in the New Forest, which has sadly resulted in the death of at least 35 ponies.

A statement from Southern Counties Auctioneers, which runs the sales alongside the New Forest Livestock Society, read: ‘Due to the ongoing cases of equine flu in the New Forest, the Beaulieu Road Pony Sale scheduled for Thursday 8th October has been CANCELLED.

‘A decision will be made on the remaining sales of this year nearer the time, please keep an eye on our website as well as The New Forest Pony Breeding & Cattle Society website.’

The two other sales are scheduled to take place on Thursday, 5 November at Beaulieu Road, as well as a timed online sale from Friday, 27 November to Wednesday, 2 December.

The Verderers of the New Forest have announced the start of the Drift season has been postponed due to the ongoing outbreak of equine flu.

As a result, no Drifts will take place during August and September. The decision has been taken to help reduce the risk of further spreading the virus while efforts continue to manage the outbreak.

The Verderers said in a statement: ‘Due to the ongoing equine flu outbreak affecting the ponies in the New Forest the Verderers have taken the decision to postpone the 2026 Drifts. There will be no Drifts taking place in August or September.

‘Drifts in October and onwards will be subject to ongoing review depending on the status of the infection.’

Further updates on the 2026 Drift programme will be shared as soon as more information becomes available.

Members of the public can play an important role in helping to reduce the spread of disease. If visiting the New Forest:

• Keep your distance from all livestock, including ponies, donkeys and cattle
• Do not touch, pet or feed the animals
• If you own or work with horses elsewhere, avoid unnecessary contact with New Forest ponies and ensure good biosecurity measures are followed

The Verderers are following expert advice in light of the outbreak.

‘The Verderers are following veterinary advice which is to leave the affected ponies where they are to avoid causing them unnecessary stress and potentially spreading the virus further,’ they added.

‘Although mostly airborne the virus can be spread by contact with an affected animal.

‘The advice to horse riders and walkers is to give the ponies as wide a berth as is possible and not to allow ridden horses to drink from communal water troughs.’

Members of the New Forest commoning community were among those honoured at the 2026 New Forest Awards, celebrating the people whose dedication helps protect the unique landscape, traditions and rural economy of the New Forest.

Now in their 13th year, the awards are organised by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA). Winners and highly commended nominees were recognised at a special ceremony during the New Forest and Hampshire County Show at New Park, Brockenhurst, on Wednesday, 29 July.

This year’s awards saw outstanding recognition for the commoning community.

The Commoning Champion award was presented to Richard Deakin in recognition of his lifelong contribution to protecting and promoting the interests of commoning and Commoners.

Over many decades, Richard has served the commoning community in a wide range of roles. As a founder member of the New Forest Livestock Society, treasurer of the New Forest CDA and a long-serving Verderer, his dedication has helped shape and strengthen commoning for future generations.

Richard said: ‘Winning the Commoning Champion Award means a great deal to me. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the time and effort I’ve put in has been recognised, and that it’s helping, in some small way, to support the future of both commoning and the New Forest. That kind of encouragement gives you the motivation to keep going.’

The commoning community was also recognised through Gilly Jones, who was highly commended in the Commoning Champion category.

The judges noted that she consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty, making an invaluable contribution through both her professional roles and her wider support for Commoners in the New Forest.

Elycia Farnish, from Fordingbridge, was named Young Farmer in recognition of her dedication to New Forest commoning, the environment and supporting her local community.

An active and passionate Commoner, Elycia turns out ponies, donkeys and cattle on the Open Forest and is always willing to support fellow Commoners. She was praised for her knowledge of Forest wildlife and the environmental challenges facing the New Forest.

Speaking after receiving her award, Elycia said: ‘I do what I do because I enjoy it, and I take great pride in my animals and the work I do. To be recognised with the Young Farmer Award is absolutely amazing. I’m really shocked and incredibly grateful to whoever nominated me.’

This year’s Young Environmental Champion was 19-year-old Gemma Hobbs from Boldre for demonstrating an exceptional commitment to protecting the New Forest and supporting its commoning heritage.

The judges praised Gemma’s passion for conservation, her commoning background and the way she inspires other young people to value the Forest’s unique landscape and wildlife in a variety of ways like Beaulieu Young Farmers, the Young Commoners or the NPA’s Young Content Creators scheme.

More than 50 businesses across the New Forest have now signed up to the New Forest Drive Safe campaign to help protect animals and improve road safety. 

The initiative, led by the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA) and New Forest National Park Authority in conjunction with New Forest Roads Awareness, encourages businesses from across the area to raise awareness among staff, customers and visitors about the importance of driving carefully on New Forest roads. 

This is particularly important due to Commoners’ free-roaming animals – namely ponies, cattle, donkeys – as well as other wildlife, who regularly cross roads. 

Beaulieu estate, Harwoods Bentley and McClaren, the Commoners’ Larder and New Forest Fruit Company are among the companies who have already lent their support to the initiative. 

Businesses joining the scheme are listed on the CDA website and can opt into a quarterly newsletter with key road safety messages and seasonal updates, which they are encouraged to share with their employees who regularly travel on Forest roads. 

Animal accident hotline cards are also given out, highlighting who to call in the unfortunate event of an accident involving Forest livestock. 

Andrew Parry-Norton, who run the Commoners’ Larder which delivers farm produce, said: ‘We are very proud to be part of the New Forest Drive Safe campaign.  

‘As a business rooted in commoning, we understand how important Commoners’ free-roaming animals are to the landscape, heritage and way of life.  

‘By supporting this campaign, we hope to help raise awareness of how important it is to drive safely in the New Forest to ensure the safety of both people and Commoners’ livestock.’ 

By signing up to New Forest Drive Safe, businesses are helping to spread awareness of the simple actions drivers can take to reduce the risk of collisions and keep both people and animals safe in the National Park. 

Road traffic remains one of the greatest threats to the welfare of the free-roaming animals who play a vital role in maintaining the unique landscape and habitats through their grazing regimes. 

The New Forest Drive Safe campaign continues to welcome new businesses from across the Forest and surrounding areas.  

From retailers and hospitality venues to tourism operators and service providers, any organisation is encouraged to sign up so it can play a role in helping visitors and residents understand how to drive responsibly in the Forest. 

Businesses interested in joining the campaign can find out more and sign up on the CDA website. 

New Forest CDA vice chair Keith Mansbridge said: ‘We are delighted that more than 50 businesses and organisations have already signed up to support the New Forest Drive Safe campaign.  

‘This demonstrates a strong commitment across the New Forest to reducing animal accidents and promoting safer driving.  

‘However, this is just the beginning. We want to see even more businesses joining the campaign, helping us spread the message further and ensuring that everyone who visits the Forest understands the importance of driving with care.’ 

This press release was issued jointly by the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association and the New Forest National Park Authority.

New Forest CDA chair Andrew Parry-Norton has raised concerns about the activities of Cadnam Cricket Club and the impact they are having on the Open Forest.

Addressing Verderers Court last week, Andrew explained the CDA and Forestry England have met with the club’s new chairman on several occasions in an effort to ensure the club understands its responsibilities when operating within the Forest.

However, he said these discussions had achieved little progress.

‘What was once a small village forest club now seems to have much larger ambitions,’ Andrew told the court.

‘On match or training days the lawns around the enclosed pitch is covered with over 40 cars, the car park which is 50 yards away remains completely empty.’

Further concerns were raised regarding compliance with the club’s licence agreement.

The CDA has called on the Verderers to take a firmer approach to ensure the club complies with the terms of its licence and fulfils its responsibilities to the Forest.

New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA) chair Andrew Parry-Norton has urged people not to leave buckets of water out for New Forest ponies as the outbreak of equine flu continues to spread across the Forest.

In his latest video update, Andrew said the disease has now resulted in 35 pony deaths in the New Forest, with cases continuing to be reported.

As a precaution, the Verderers have cancelled all Drifts during August, with September’s programme under review.

Andrew stressed that while the current hot weather may prompt people to try to help, ponies are well adapted to finding their own water from streams and other natural sources. Leaving buckets of water out can encourage animals to gather unnaturally, increasing the risk of spreading equine flu.

He also provided an update on plans to secure the long-term future of commoning through the proposed Landscape Recovery environmental scheme.

Work is continuing on the application, with a key focus on ensuring commoning remains at the heart of the project. A facilitator is being recruited through a partnership between the CDA, Verderers and New Forest National Park Authority to work with Commoners and organisations, with one of the aims being to develop a grazing management plan.

Watch Andrew’s video in full below or on our Facebook page

With just two weeks to go until the New Forest and Hampshire County Show, we are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA) stand.

Taking place over three days from Tuesday, 28 July to Thursday, 30 July, the Show is one of the biggest events in the New Forest calendar and provides a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the unique tradition of commoning and the people who help care for this internationally important landscape.

Visitors to the CDA stand – which is located in the Heart of the Forest area – can meet Commoners and volunteers, discover how commoning has shaped the New Forest for centuries, and find out why it remains vital to the future of the Forest’s wildlife, habitats and free-roaming animals.

Whether you’re a long-standing supporter or simply curious to learn more, there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions, hear first-hand stories from those involved in commoning, and learn how you can support the work of the Association.

We look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages throughout the three days of the Show.

This event has been postponed. A new date will be announced in due course.

All New Forest Commoners are invited to the Young Commoners’ summer round-up this weekend.

The round-up is an evening of live music, great food and community spirit, all in support of the Injured Stallion Fund.

It is taking place on Saturday (July 11) at Storms Farm in Cadnam, from 6pm to 10.30pm.

Guests can enjoy live music from Charlie Woodford, a licensed bar and Big Ben’s BBQ, while helping to raise money for a cause that plays an important role in supporting New Forest commoning.

What is the Injured Stallion Fund?

The Injured Stallion Fund was established by the New Forest Young Commoners to help owners of approved New Forest stallions if their stallion is injured while carrying out its breeding duties on the Open Forest.

Each spring, selected pedigree stallions are turned out to roam the Forest with the mares for around six weeks. These stallions are essential to maintaining the health, quality and future of the New Forest pony breed. However, turning valuable breeding stallions onto the Open Forest comes with risks, and injuries can and do occur.

The fund helps contribute towards the costs associated with treating injuries sustained during the breeding season, providing reassurance to stallion owners who make their animals available for the benefit of the wider commoning community.

By supporting the Injured Stallion Fund, you’re helping to safeguard one of the key traditions that underpins commoning in the New Forest and ensuring the future of the iconic New Forest pony.

Tickets

Tickets cost £5, with under 15s going free.

Buy tickets online here

The New Forest CDA is pleased to support this event and encourages Commoners to come along and help raise funds for this valuable initiative.

The New Forest Commoners Defence Association (CDA) has renewed its call for improvements at Penny Moor, urging action to resolve ongoing access issues following habitat restoration work.

Presenting to the Verderers’ Court on Wednesday, June 17, CDA chair Andrew Parry-Norton acknowledged Forestry England’s (FE) many successful restoration projects but said the challenges at Penny Moor continue to overshadow those achievements.

The CDA has previously raised concerns about the site to the north west of Beaulieu and while some remedial work has taken place, the Association says a significant problem remains.

‘Due to large areas being unintentionally flooded and deep impassable mud, access to the ford is nearly impossible,’ Andrew told the court.

‘The public, as well as our stock still try to cross this area, making the conditions even worse. Our concern is there is no way sick animals can be removed; even a member of the public could not be easily evacuated in an emergency.

‘This situation needs to be immediately rectified, [so] we request the Verderers’ enter into discussions with FE to construct a causeway to allow safe access. This needs to be done this year before the onset of poor weather.’

Read the presentment in full by clicking on the link below.

CDA Presentment June 2026