Strasbourg, 11/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption of the report by British Green member Jillian Evans, the EP approved the joint proposal of regulation that aims to create a common passport for pets, following the conciliation procedure with the Council (see EUROPE of 21 February). The regulation fixes the sanitary police conditions which apply to the movement of domestic animals. During conciliation procedure, the EP and the Council agreed that the possible extension of the five-year derogation granted to the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden should be the subject of a further decision in the context of codecision procedure. They also agreed that tattoos on animals would be replaced by an electronic identification system after eight years. "I feel certain that many pet owners, and perhaps the animals themselves, will welcome the adoption of this system that will simplify travel across Europe, while strengthening the protection of public and animal health", the rapporteur states in a press release. Jillian Evans stresses that the inclusion of ferrets as "pets" may seem surprising but "in Wales, many ferret owners will be delighted with this agreement".