THREE south Essex MPs have insisted they are in favour of animal welfare after a huge public backlash.

On Tuesday, MPs voted to reject the inclusion of a bill that states animals feel pain and emotion, known as animal sentience, into the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Castle Point MP, Rebecca Harris, South Basildon and East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe, and James Duddridge MP for Rochford and Southend East, all voted against the bill, but insisted the reaction is unjust and that animal sentience is covered by the UK Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Mrs Harris, said: “Of course I believe that animals are sentient and its nonsense to claim MPs voted against animals being sentient beings, though regrettably some media have twisted the facts and intentionally misrepresented the vote.

“MPs rejected an amendment to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill which wanted Article 13 of Title II of the Lisbon Treaty to be permanently incorporated into law. However, we believe our own UK Animal Welfare Act 2006 already gives us higher levels of animal protection than would have been offered by this Amendment. I believe the UK has better animal standards than any country in Europe and in the past four months alone we have announced an ivory ban, CCTV in slaughter houses, banning bee harming neonicotinoids, increasing the maximum sentence for animal cruelty and we are banning microbeads to protect sealife.”

But the RSPCA have disputed those claims, stating that domestic animals were only covered in the Act, and the 2006 law does not cover sentience.

Animal rights activists say the vote undermines Environment Secretary Michael Gove’s pledge to prioritise animal rights during Brexit.

Mr Duddridge said: “Having two separate laws which address the same issue is confusing and counterproductive. Therefore I believe the existing UK legislation will not be weakened when we leave the European Union. The Conservative Party, and especially Michael Gove, has done a great deal towards the UK taking the lead on animal rights and welfare. It is a great shame for him that this issue has been blown out of context.”

Mr Metcalfe added: “The vote that took place was part of the Repeal Bill and was an opposition amendment designed, in my view to try and defeat the Government; duplicate existing law and complicate Brexit, rather than have anything to do with improving animal welfare.

“Of course I believe animals are sentient and command the utmost protection and respect.”