THE iconic sheep that has grazed the Lake District fells for centuries is fast disappearing, according to a census carried out by the Herdwick Sheep Breeders’ Association (HSBA).

In a letter to Cumbrian MPs, the HSBA claim that in 1916 there were 359 Herdwick flocks recorded in Cumbria, but new figures show that since then 202 flocks have gone - 56 per cent in 100 years.

Amanda Carson, secretary of the HSBA, told the Cumberland News that rewilding and second homes, as well as dwindling flock sizes, are threatening the number of upland farms that use hefting - where flocks learn to stay on their own patch of mountain without the need for fences.

In the letter, HSBA said government environmental policies and the constant destocking of the sheep from the fells were the main causes. They said that in some new farm tenancies, up to 50 per cent of the land available for farming had been removed by the landowner to make way for rewilding schemes.

“It is very sad. 115 farms that had Herdwick flocks have been sold and and are no longer farms, but are used for holiday lets, or equestrian or camping sites, or rewilding,” said Mrs Carson.

Herdwick flocks and the hefting practice was recognised as the ‘most defining feature’ of the Lake District, when it was awarded World Heritage Site status in 2017 by the United Nations.

Mrs Carson said of the remaining 157 Herdwick flocks, a rare and ancient breed that Beatrix Potter fought to protect, only about 90 have more than 50 breeding ewes. “Some of these flocks are getting smaller. This is a pretty grim situation. The WHS status was given because it was recognised that this something unique and these flocks underpinned a large part of that.”

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