MICHAEL GOVE has become embroiled in a row over whether animals should still be treated as “sentient beings” after Britain leaves the EU.

The Environment Secretary insisted yesterday that there will not be a “gap” in animal welfare protections following Brexit, promising “stronger protection written into law.”

His assertion — widely seen as a U-turn — came after Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas sought to make an amendment to Brexit legislation, which would have brought EU animal protections into domestic law.

MPs voted this down last week, arguing that recognition of animals’ sentience already exists in British law.

The Commons vote sparked a social media frenzy and petition. But Mr Gove hit back saying that social media has “distorted” the outcome of the vote.

British Veterinary Association senior vice-president Gudrun Ravetz told the BBC that there were major concerns over dropping the EU laws.

She explained that under British animal welfare legislation only the owner is responsible for an animal’s condition, whereas in EU law the state and the owner are both responsible.

“That is a very important principle, we have the duty of animal welfare for the owner and keeper under the Animal Welfare Act, and that will continue, but what we want to see is that duty [of] the state,” she said.

“Not including this provision would be a step backwards once we leave the EU.”