2THE government will make it compulsory for cats to be micro-chipped.

The new rule is being introduced in a bid to improve animal welfare.

Nicola Charler from the Bath Cats and Dogs Home told BBC Wiltshire welcomed the move.

She : "I've been here seven years and there's been so many cases I've seen where I wish we had known sooner, so it's absolutely the best thing. I think it will help with welfare, it will help with owners, it's such a simple procedure - it's cheap and quick and a great thing to do."

There will also be a ban on bringing hunting trophies from endangered species into the UK, prevent monkeys from being owned as pets, and potentially ban foie gras.