The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 came into force on 6 April 2025. The legislation brings in a licensing scheme, setting strict rules to make sure only private keepers who can provide zoo-level welfare standards can keep primates.
A primate is an animal of any species other than human beings that belong to the primate order of mammals. This includes but is not limited to, any species of monkey, ape, lemur, loris or tarsier.
Existing private primate keepers can apply for a primate licence from April 2025. From 6 April 2026, all private primate keepers and people proposing to keep a primate will be required to hold a licence, valid for a maximum of 3 years, and undergo reassessment to renew their permission to keep their animals.
A person who keeps a primate in England without the required licence will be committing an offence under Section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and will be liable on conviction to imprisonment for up to 6 months, a fine, or both.
We expect DEFRA to issue further guidance about primate licences. Please check regularly for any updates or additional information.
If you have any questions, please contact us by email at fshadmin@tendringdc.gov.uk.
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