Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union may end up with stronger guarantees of animal rights than workers’ health and safety rights if the government has its way, the TUC has said. 

TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson was commenting after environment secretary Michael Gove announced new legislation to protect animals. The draft bill says the government “must have regard to the welfare needs of animals as sentient beings in formulating and implementing government policy,” and would introduce a much higher maximum prison sentence for animal abuse in England and Wales. “Our plans will also increase sentences for those who commit the most heinous acts of animal cruelty to five years in jail,” up from six months, said the environment secretary. “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.” 

TUC’s Hugh Robertson said he hoped the bill succeeded. “However, let’s not forget that the government has also voted down attempts to protect existing employment, health and safety and equality rights. That means that the government is promising to guarantee stronger legal protection post-Brexit for animals than it is for workers!”