Primates
The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2023 became law on 5 March 2024. It brings in a licensing scheme to make sure all primates in England will be kept in zoo level standards of animal welfare. Private primate keepers will be subject to regular inspections, making sure these standards are upheld.
From 6 April 2026 it will be an offence for anyone to keep a primate without a relevant licence. Failure to comply with licence conditions could result in an unlimited fine, removal of the primate or imprisonment for a term of up to 6 months.
Application process
To apply for a licence you will need to complete an application form and pay an application fee.
After you apply for a licence, an inspection by a vet or other suitably qualified and experienced person will be arranged to check whether the licence conditions are likely to be met if the application were to be granted.
Following the inspection, if we are satisfied that the licence conditions are likely to be met, the application will be granted. If we are not satisfied, then the application must be refused.
Licences will normally be granted for a period of three years and will then expire.
Whilst it doesn’t become a legal requirement to hold a licence to keep primates until 6 April 2026, we would encourage all primate keepers to make their applications as early as possible to allow plenty of time for inspections to take place and for decisions to be made. Any licences issued before 6 April 2026, will be granted to take effect from that date.
Further details and information
Licensing process for keeping primates
Licence conditions for primate keepers (Schedule 1)
Callitrichids: licence conditions for keepers (Annex A)
What if I have information about a primate being kept in the area?
If you want to pass on any information or concerns about any primates that are currently being kept in the area, please contact us by emailing licensing@lichfielddc.gov.uk