Primate Licensing Is Now Mandatory in England

In force from 6 April 2026 · Published April 2026

From 6 April 2026, keeping a primate privately in England without a valid licence from a local authority is a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 have now entered full force after a one year transition period during which existing keepers could apply. The regulations apply to England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate frameworks.

The RSPCA estimates that around 5,000 primates are kept privately in the UK. The licensing scheme is designed to ensure that only individuals who can meet zoo equivalent welfare standards are permitted to do so.

The regulations apply to all members of the order Primates other than humans. Species commonly kept privately and now subject to the licensing requirement include marmosets, tamarins, capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, lemurs, and lorisids including bush babies.

Two exemptions apply: primates kept in licensed zoos under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, and primates held for scientific purposes under a licence granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. All other private keepers require a primate licence.

A primate licence must be obtained from the local authority in whose area the animals are kept. The application process involves an inspection of the premises by a vet and a qualified local authority officer. Licences are valid for a maximum of three years and must be renewed.

GOV.UK guidance sets out the full application requirements. Keepers must demonstrate that they can meet the welfare standards set out in the regulations, register a named veterinarian with relevant exotic animal experience, maintain detailed care records, and have written procedures for emergencies including arrangements for the animal's care if the licence is revoked or the keeper dies.

Anyone who currently keeps a primate without a licence and has not applied is already in breach of the regulations as of 6 April 2026.

The regulations set out detailed welfare requirements that must be met as a condition of the licence. These include appropriate enclosure specifications, dietary and feeding requirements designed to allow natural foraging behaviours, access to clean water at all times, environmental enrichment, social housing requirements where relevant to the species, temperature and humidity management, and veterinary care from a practitioner with relevant expertise.

The welfare standards are described in the regulations as equivalent to those required in licensed zoos. Local authorities are responsible for monitoring compliance and taking enforcement action where licence conditions are not met.

Keeping a primate without a required licence is an offence under section 13(6) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Penalties can include a fine, a period of imprisonment, or both. Local authorities are responsible for administering the licensing scheme and for enforcement, including investigating unlicensed keeping and taking action where necessary.

Cannock Chase District Council, one of several councils that issued guidance to residents ahead of the deadline, noted that an inspection by a vet and qualified officer is required before a licence can be granted. Councils have been encouraged by the government to write to local veterinary practices to ensure that any clients keeping primates are aware of the requirement.

The primate licensing scheme is a reminder that the regulatory landscape around animal keeping continues to evolve, and that private ownership increasingly carries formal welfare obligations. While Pawsettle focuses primarily on dogs and cats in the context of shared arrangements and separation, the broader principle applies to any situation where an animal's welfare depends on clear documentation, agreed responsibilities and a named person who holds the relevant records. If you share the care of any animal with another person, having a written record of those responsibilities is always good practice.