Ministers are considering scrapping the six months now spent by pets in quarantine for all animals coming into the UK from the European Union.

But Agriculture Minister Nick Brown was at pains to make clear that his "primary concern is to protect the country from rabies" and not to satisfy the demands of pet owners.

Reform of the current system will probably involve passports for pets, a move recommended last month by the Commons Agriculture Committee and backed by the RSPCA.

Brown: "Minded" to introduce pet passports

Under this system, pets will be allowed into the country from Europe if they have records proving they have been vaccinated and a microchip implanted under their skin to confirm their identity.

Such a system would cost several million pounds to set up.

Mr Brown said: "Pet owners who benefit from the new system would have to pay for it."

But the scheme is unlikely to come into operation soon as Mr Brown said: "The desire of people to bring their pets into the country cannot be described as urgency in terms of policy making"

Any reform would be unlikely to reach the statute book before 2001.

Speaking for the Conservative Agriculture spokesman Tim Yeo supported the government's proposals but stressed their concern that nothing be done that may endanger the public health.

A consultation period on the proposals will last until the end of the year.