A MEMBER of the European Parliament for Worcestershire has welcomed plans to use microchips instead of tattoos to identify pets who travel abroad with their owners.

John Corrie said owners of dogs and other pets were delighted when the tattoo was introduced in 1991.

It resulted in the abolition of the six-month quarantine system designed to prevent the spread of rabies.

"The change now from the ear tattoo to the microchip is because it is considered to be a more humane way of treating pets," he said.

"The European Parliament is insisting, however, that young pets cannot be moved from country to country before they have reached the required age for vaccination against rabies," Mr Corrie added.