Primate licence

The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 will come into force from 6 April 2025.The legislation brings in a licensing scheme, setting strict rules to ensure that only private keepers who can provide zoo-level welfare standards will be able to keep primates. 

Existing private primate keepers can apply for a primate licence from April 2025 and, 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 three years, and undergo reassessment to renew their permission to keep their animals.

A person who requires a primate licence and keeps a primate in England without one will be committing an offence under section 13 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.

We are expecting DEFRA to issue further guidance in relation to primate licences and this webpage will be updated following this. Please check back soon for any changes or additional information. 

More information on the licensing process can be found in the FAQ’s on this page. If you have any further questions, please contact us. 

Frequently asked questions

I am a private keeper of a primate. What do I need to do?

You should apply for a primate licence from April 2025. Doing so early will mean that you have a longer period to adapt to the changes that will become law in April 2026. 

What conditions will I need to meet in order to be licensed?

You can find the conditions that you will need to meet in Schedule 1 of the regulations. All applicants will need to meet the conditions.

Is anyone exempt from the need to be licenced?

The regulations do not apply to any premises licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act or places specified in a licence under section 2C of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act.

How much does a licence cost and what will happen after I apply?

You must pay a fee – more information can be found on our fees page. The cost of the vet’s time will also be recharged to the applicant. Once a valid application is received, a licensing officer will arrange to inspect your premises accompanied by a vet. The Inspectors will assess your premises against the conditions specified in the regulations.

How long do licenses last?

Primate licences last for a maximum of 3 years but you can request a shorter period if necessary. You must apply to renew your licence 10 weeks before your current one ends.

What paperwork will I need to submit with my application?

The regulations require the following paperwork to be kept as part of the licence. In order to ensure we deal with your application as quickly as possible, you should submit them as part of your application.

Your policies and procedures should provide a snapshot of your business and detail how you meet all of the licence conditions. 

• A plan of the premises
• A register of all animals kept on the premises, including:
  • its name;
  • its sex;
  • its microchip number;
  • 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); and
  • where the primate is permanently transferred to other 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; and
  • an up-to-date list of emergency contact details that includes the fire service and police.
• 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; and
  • the care of the primates following the revocation of the licence or the death of the licence holder.
• The individual diet plans for each primate.
  • This must be created based on guidance from a vet or primate dietary expert.
• 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.