A DORSET MP has accused Boris Johnson of “driving a coach and horses straight at our core supporters” via new legislation to recognise that animals have feelings.

The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill recognises that animals are sentient beings, able to feel pain and joy, and creates a body to ensure UK ministers take account of their welfare needs when drawing up and implementing policy.

Environment Secretary George Eustice told MPs that ministers will continue to take the decisions and explained: “This is a succinct Bill that offers clarity and avoids creating a wide avenue for judicial review of Government decisions, but which ensures animal welfare is properly considered as Government’s formulate policy.”

But Conservative MPs representing rural constituencies raised concerns over the proposals, which was extended while going through the House of Lords to cover octopuses, crabs and lobsters after a study found they had feelings.

Conservative MP Richard Drax told the Commons: “This is a bad Bill, an unnecessary Bill, and a Trojan horse for those who have no understanding and sadly in some cases despise the countryside and all that goes on in it.”

The MP for South Dorset said “why on earth a Conservative Government is driving a coach and horses straight at our core supporters, and many beyond, is quite beyond me”.

Mr Drax said “we left the EU in order to pass our own laws” but that the Bill “is even more intrusive than the former legislation under EU law”.

He added the Bill would be a “magnet for judicial review” and warned about a committee it would establish, saying: “I and many others fear that those with different agendas, often partisan and politically motivated, will hijack this committee and its role to attack activities like shooting and fishing.”

The Bill received an unopposed second reading and will undergo further scrutiny at a later date.