The government has hinted it could move to end live animal exports once the UK leaves the European Union.

The newly-appointed environment secretary Michael Gove says exiting the EU will enable the UK to insist on higher environmental and welfare standards.

Although he stopped short of an outright commitment to halt the trade, he said one of the key advantages of leaving the EU would be the ability to control exports.

“If we leave the EU, we can take steps on live animal exports that ensure that the standards of animal welfare are higher than ever before so we can have a 'green' Brexit that ensures that Britain is an an environmental leader,” he said.

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay, who has campaigned to end the practice, welcomed the news despite the implementation of any ban unlikely to take effect before 2019.

He said: “I am very encouraged by what I am hearing, as will all those who have campaigned against exports. To me, the trade does not make economic sense and this is an example of how Brexit can enable us to take our own decisions and benefit from leaving the EU."

He questioned the viability of the trade, saying he did not understand how farmers made money.

He added: “They seem to come from places like Cumbria, get transported to Ramsgate and then taken to Germany or some other country.”

The MP last year introduced a bill in the House of Commons following the reintroduction of live animal exports at the Port of Ramsgate.

It called for councils to have the power to stop exports.

Exports were banned by Thanet District Council in 2012 after the deaths of more than 40 sheep. However, this was overturned by the High Court in 2014.

Defra did not comment on the remarks made by Mr Gove, but in a statement, referred to a Conservative manifesto pledge that said: “As we leave the European Union, we can take early steps to control the export of live farm animals for slaughter.”