A FORMER Vale of York MP believes free movement of animals is vital post Brexit.

In an oral question to the House of Lords today (Monday), Baroness Anne McIntosh of Pickering will say: “Live animal exports are big business in North Yorkshire and elsewhere, contributing significantly to the local economy and ensuring a vibrant future for hill farmers.

“The agriculture secretary Michael Gove has stated he wants to ban the export of live animals and yet they are currently small in number and highly regulated. Post-Brexit there will also be a need to ensure that animals, including race horses, can travel to other EU countries for breeding and other purposes such as horse racing.”