Ferrets set to rescue the entente cordiale!

Date: 10/04/03

By Karen Carstens

MEPS were expected to give ferrets their own pet passports, and the same rights as cats and dogs, in a vote at the Strasbourg Parliament today (10 April).

Liberal Democrat Chris Davies said this would be good news in particular for the UK's two million pet ferrets.

He also expressed the hope that it would lead to "a cross-channel rapprochement at a time of strained Anglo-French relations".

The regulation on the free movement of pet animals in the EU is due to come into force in Spring 2004. It aims to remove restrictions, while ensuring that strong safeguards remain against the threat of rabies.

The proposal builds on current British practice by replacing six months quarantine controls with "pet passports" - microchips inserted into an animal which indicate it has been vaccinated and is rabies-free.

Thanks to the development of new vaccines, the number of rabies cases among cats and dogs in the EU has plummeted from nearly 500 to just five per year in the past decade, according to Davies.

MEPs voted two years ago against extending the passport scheme to include ferrets because there was no test which could prove that the vaccination had worked.

Ferret owners have since mobilised in defence of their pets, claiming the creatures suffered unfair discrimination.

Davies said a recent assessment by the UK's Veterinary Laboratory Agency has concluded that the risks are so small as to no longer justify continued restrictions.

Ferrets will now be able to "take part in exhibitions and shows overseas for the first time", he said.

"The new law will also make it much easier for British male ferrets to meet French female ferrets," he added.

The free movement of pet insects, birds and fish, as well as hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs, will also be permitted by the new regulation.

MEPs were expected to give ferrets their own pet passports, and the same rights as cats and dogs, in a vote at the Strasbourg Parliament on 10 April 2003.