THE Government is set to give ferrets pet passports enabling East Lancashire owners to take their pets abroad or move them across European Union borders for breeding purposes.

Already many cats and dogs have been given the special dispensation to avoid quarantine procedures for rabies and other diseases.

With the passports - which require an identifying microchip, vaccination against rabies and full veterinary documentation - animals can avoid a six-month wait to be given the all-clear.

The new system - launched in 2000 - has worked well for cats and dogs.

Former Ribble Valley MP Lord Waddington lobbied for the change after his dog died in quarantine when he returned from three years as the governor of Bermuda. But the new move has got a mixed reaction from existing MPs in the area with Rossendale and Darwen's Janet Anderson and Hyndburn's Greg Pope welcoming the move but Ribble Valley Tory Nigel Evans ridiculing it.

The new system is expected to come into effect on July 3 following a new European Union directive based on extending Britain's successful pet passport system across the 15 member states and widening it to other pets.

Mrs Anderson said: "There are many ferret fanciers in my constituency. They will welcome the chance to take their pets on holiday with them and in particular to move them across European borders for breeding purposes without quarantine."

Mr Pope said: "This seems a sensible move. It will mean that many people will no longer face unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy if they wish to take their pets abroad or import ferrets from the EU."

But Mr Evans said: "It seems ridiculous. But then again as the Government is giving passports to everyone else I don't see why they shouldn't give them to ferrets."