Primate Licence

From 6th April 2025, new regulations came into force for keeping primates. This means that if you wish to keep a primate at your home, you will need to obtain a licence.

The regulations are detailed here: The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024

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.

After 6 April 2026, 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, an unlimited fine or both.

How to apply

To apply for a licence you will need to submit an application form and pay the relevant fee. 

Details for the above will follow so please check back soon but in the first instance, please contact licensing@Stroud.gov.uk 

Following an application, an inspection by a Vet and an Animal Welfare Officer will be required. They will check whether the licence conditions are likely to be met if the application is granted.

Licences will normally be granted for a period of 3 years.

Guidance

We are expecting DEFRA to issue further guidance in relation to primate licences soon and this webpage will be updated following this.