A British agriculture minister has spoken out in support for Britain leaving the European Union by claiming it is what farm animals would want if they could vote.

George Eustice said that animal welfare would be better if Britain was not having to obey by EU standards.

He also suggested that Britain could compensate farmers to provide better welfare for animals by using the funds which would have been drained by the EU.

Mr Eustice suggested that Britain could compensate farmers to provide better welfare for animals by using the funds which would have been drained by the EU

Mr Eustice said that the potential new investment in animal welfare would be popular among consumers as people are taking a growing interest in where their food comes from.

'There's a growing consumer interest in wanting to know that the chicken or pork they buy has been treated well,' he told The Times.

The Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), dictated by the EU, provides farmers with around half of their income.

The agriculture minister's suggestion for farmers receiving compensation is based in the fact that farmers' could face a shortfall in earnings if Britain left the UK and may need additional support.

Mr Eustice said that the potential new investment in animal welfare would be popular among consumers as people are taking a growing interest in where their food comes from

The financial incentives for farmers to improve animal welfare could lead to fewer pigs having their tails cut off, a process known as docking

He conceded that there was no guarantee that it would be sustainable for the government to match the subsidies for farmers in the long run.

The financial incentives for farmers to improve animal welfare could lead to fewer pigs having their tails cut off, a process known as docking.

The tail of a pig is often bitten by other pigs, a sign that activists say suggests stress in the animal.