Brexit will work not just for citizens but for animals too: Britain

Brexit must work for animals too, Britain's Environment Secretary Michael Gove said today, promising that welfare standards would improve after leaving the European Union.

"We are a nation of animal lovers so we will make Brexit work not just for citizens but for the animals we love and cherish too," said Gove, a leading pro-Brexit campaigner for the 2016 EU referendum.

Gove was presenting a draft law that would enshrine the concept of animal sentience into British law and introduce new jail sentences for animal abusers.

"Britain outside the European Union can have higher standards on the environment and indeed on animal welfare," he said.

The move follows a social media storm after MPs last month during a heated Brexit debate voted against transposing an EU protocol recognising animals as sentient beings into British law.

Commentators took that to mean MPs had voted to say animals did not have feelings.

"As we leave the EU we will deliver a green Brexit, not only maintaining but enhancing animal welfare standards," Gove said.
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