New Forest marking fees rise for first time since 2012

THE prices commoners pay for turning out their animals on the New Forest have been hiked for the first time since 2012.

Described by the verderers office as a “long overdue increase”, the fees are used to meet the cost of running administration and employing agisters to safeguard the welfare of livestock.

The decision was taken by the verderers at their October meeting for 2023.

Costs for turning out ponies, cattle and donkeys onto the open Forest will increase to £26 per animal.

The marking fee for animals grazed on the New Forest commons will increase to £134 per animal for ponies and donkeys and £3.25 for cattle, which is an eighth of the Forest fee.

Marking fees for sheep has also increased by £2 a head so the cost will be £10 per animal on the Forest and £5 for animals grazed on the commons.

The fees paid for pigs has not been increased and will remain at £4 for animals grazed on the Forest and £2 on the commons.