Primate Licensing

The Animal Welfare (Primates Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 will come into force in England on 6 April 2026.

These Regulations require anyone keeping primates (outside of a Zoo licensed premises or premises licensed under Section 2C of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act) to be licenced by this date.

Definition of ‘primate’

Any animal of any species, other than Homo sapiens, which belongs to the order Primates.

Definition of ‘keep’

If the person has a primate in their possession (except where the person has it in their possession for the purposes of—

1. preventing it from causing damage;
2. restoring it to its owner;
3. enabling it to undergo veterinary examination or treatment; or
4. transporting it on behalf of another person).

Any person who currently keeps a primate must contact the Council at the soonest instance to begin the licensing process. The process will include completing an application form with supporting documentation and an inspection from the suitably qualified officer at the Council and a veterinarian. Licences will be valid for a maximum of 3 years (but may be shorter if requested/necessary).

From 6 April 2026, a person who keeps a primate in England without a primate licence will be committing an offence under Section 13(6) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and will be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term of up to six months, a fine or both.

Please note, if a licence is already held for a primate under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, a licence under these Regulations will also be required.

Conditions and guidance

The conditions that must be complied with for a primate licence can be found in Schedule 1 of the Regulations issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

You must also comply with the statutory guidance issued by DEFRA for a licence to keep primates to be granted by the Council.

Application Process

Before you start

You will need:

• details of the applicant, agent (if applicable), business and the premises to be licensed
• details of any emergency key holder(s), insurance policy and veterinary surgery
• to have read the relevant statutory guidance (links available in the form)
• documents to be uploaded, these include:
  • plan of the premises
  • insurance policy
  • evidence of experience/qualifications of staff/competent people caring for the animals
  • written operating procedures
  • emergency response plan and procedures for special circumstance
  • written agreement with registered veterinarian
• a credit or debit card to make your fee payment

If you require assistance with your application, please contact the Environmental Health team on 01622 602450 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Apply now