Major Tory donors have written to the Prime Minister to express their concern over a bill which would recognise that animals feel pain.
The Government is facing a rebellion over the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill amid concerns among some Tories that it could be ‘hijacked’ by animal rights campaigners.
Some fear it could be a Trojan Horse for eco-zealots and affect farming, fishing, hunting, angling and horse racing.
The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill currently applies only to vertebrates - animals with backbones - but could be expanded to include invertebrates, such as lobsters
The letter outlines fears the bill could be used by activists looking to ban kosher and halal slaughter, game shooting, killing vermin on farms and testing medical products on animals.
If it is passed, the bill will explicitly recognise in law for the first time that animals are ‘sentient’, a term defined as ‘having the capacity to experience feelings and sensations’.
Currently it will apply only to vertebrates - animals with backbones - but it could be expanded to include invertebrates, such as lobsters and octopuses.
Pressure from campaigners including the Boris Johnson’s wife Carrie led to renewed calls for invertebrates to get the same protection.
Billionaire Lord Spencer of Alresford, who has donated about £5million to the Conservatives, is among the signatories and said the bill was ‘poorly drafted’, according to The Times.
Another significant donor, Peter Hargreaves, did not sign the letter but shared his concerns about the legislation.
He said: ‘I would be concerned if I was a farmer with any crops susceptible to fauna.
'Any legislation in this area must be sensitive to ensuring the country continues to have a successful agricultural industry.’
Earlier this month MPs were reassured that the UK fishing industry has nothing to fear from the new
