The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024
The Regulations make provision for the protection of the welfare of primates that are kept in England. A person who keeps or is proposing to keep a primate in England on or after 6th April 2026 may only do so if the person has a primate licence under these Regulations or an exception applies. The legislation brings in a licensing regime, setting strict rules to ensure that only private keepers who can provide zoo-level welfare standards will be able to keep primates. Private primate keepers will be subject to a strict inspection regime to ensure welfare and licensing 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 six months.
“Primate” means an animal of any species, other than human beings, that belongs to the primate order of mammals.
The most commonly kept primates include marmosets, capuchins, squirrel monkeys, tamarins and lemurs, but the Regulations apply to all primates.
Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
You must also hold a Dangerous Wild Animals licence if the species of primate you keep is listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.
Guidance
The Government has published guidance on the licensing process for keeping primates Licensing process for keeping primates – GOV.UK
Conditions that must be attached to the licence are listed in the Regulations. These are explained in a Government guidance document. The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024
Supporting documentation
Before applying for a licence, you must prepare all the required documentation, and this must be submitted as part of your application.
The regulations require the following documents to be kept as part of the licence. You must submit them as part of your application otherwise the process will be delayed.
Please refer to the Regulations, guidance and licence conditions. Your policies and procedures should provide a clear overview of how you care for and manage your primates and demonstrate compliance with all licence conditions.
Your documents must include:
- A plan of the premises.
- A register of all primates kept on the premises, including:
- its name
- its sex
- its microchip number; (signed records/proof from a vet or to be checked on inspection)
- its date of birth or, if not known, its approximate date of birth;
- its species
- its colour and markings
- the name and contact details of its previous keeper (where applicable)
- the date and cause of its death (where applicable)
- where the primate is permanently transferred to another premises, the name and contact details of the new keeper (where applicable) and the address of the place to which it has been relocated
- A written emergency plan, covering:
- the measures to be taken for the removal of the primates should the licensed premises become unsafe or uninhabitable
- the arrangements for the care of the primates during and following an emergency
- an up-to-date list of emergency contact details that includes the fire service and police
- The written records to be kept at the premises to include:
- names and contact details of people who are responsible for the overall care and management of the primates
- names and contact details of the named veterinarian and any other emergency veterinarian
- The licence holder must register the primates with a veterinarian who has agreed to provide the following:
- routine visits at an appropriate frequency to assess the health, condition and welfare of each primate
- carry out or supervise the treatment of a sick primate
- administer or supervise the administration of medicines, vaccines, parasite control, disease surveillance and contraception to the primates when appropriate
- monitor the health and welfare of each primate
- advice and assistance in an emergency
- Contact details of the local fire service and police.
- A record of all individuals authorised to access and care for the primates.
- A written procedure for special circumstances, including contingencies in the event of:
- the temporary isolation of any primate including arrangements for ensuring that the welfare needs of any primate that is being temporarily isolated are met during the period of its isolation
- the death or escape of a primate
- the care of the primates following the revocation of the licence or the death of the licence holder
- Written nutrition and feeding procedures.
- Diet plans for each primate must be created based on appropriate expert advice and guidance and must be dated and reviewed every 12 months at least. These plans must allow the primates to exhibit natural feeding and foraging behaviour and access to fresh clean water.
- A written hygiene protocol, covering:
- cleaning and disinfecting
- prevention and control of the spread of disease
- A written transportation procedure covering the welfare of the primate while being transported.
- Written procedures for physical health to include:
- monitored daily signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease of abnormal behaviours and steps taken
- monthly weight checks detailing the date the weight was recorded
- date and purpose veterinary examinations and any treatments
- quarantine and isolation records, including length or quarantine or isolation
- Breeding health and management plan (if needed) to be provided by a named veterinarian to include:
- record of stillbirth
Environment
Refer to the Regulations, schedule 1 paragraphs 24 to 29 The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024
Each primate must be kept in an enclosure on the licensed premises which meets the requirements specified in paragraphs 25 to 29.
How to apply
- Prepare your supporting documentation.
- Email licensing@rother.gov.uk to request an application form in Word format for you to complete.
- Pay the required fee.
- Submit the application form and payment receipt to licensing@rother.gov.uk (max attachment size 15Mb)
Do not email supporting documentation without first speaking to a licensing officer.
Fees
2026 new or renewal licence (up to 3 years) £300 plus actual veterinary inspection costs.
How to pay
www.wealden.gov.uk/pay select licence, animal licences.
Please submit a copy of your receipt with your application form.