EUROPEAN MPs were voting today to give ferrets their own passports and the same travel rights in Europe as those enjoyed by by cat, dogs and other pets.

Bolton Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies described the move as good news for the North-west's 250,000 ferrets and their owners.

The EU regulation covering the movement of pet animals across Europe will come into force next year. It aims to remove restrictions, while ensuring that safeguards remain against rabies.

The old quarantine controls will be replaced with "pets' passports" -- microchips which indicate that the animal has been vaccinated and carries no rabies.

MEPs voted two years ago against extending the scheme to include ferrets because there was no test which could prove that the vaccination had worked. Ferret owners protested that their animals were being descriminated against.

Now the Veterinary Laboratory Agency has concluded that the risks are so small it no longer justifies continued restrictions.

Chris Davies said the new ruling would allow ferrets to take part in exhibitions and shows overseas.