Gove pledge to improve animal welfare on farms

IMPROVING animal welfare will be a priority after Brexit, the Environment Secretary will say today.

Farmers could be given extra state payments to treat livestock better, Michael Gove will announce.

In a speech at the National Farmers’ Union conference in Birmingham, he will say: ‘I believe investing in higher animal welfare standards and investing in improved training and education for those in agriculture and food production are clear public goods.’

He will also argue that preserving the landscape will be easier after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Gove will tell farmers their voices are now more influential as the UK can set its own standards.