East Suffolk Council

Primates

Keeping Primates - The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024

From 6 April 2026, it will be illegal to keep a primate as a pet, breed them, or sell them, without a valid licence, under new legislation introduced by the Government.

The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 sets out new welfare and licensing standards for keeping primates in private homes. The change aims to improve the lives of these intelligent primates with complex emotional, social and cognitive needs that are difficult to meet in most domestic environments.

From April 2025, existing primate owners can apply for a licence. Licences will only be granted to individuals who can meet strict zoo-level welfare standards. The changes mean that, in practice, primates will no longer be kept as traditional household pets, and those unable to meet the criteria may be required to rehome their animals before April 2026.

By April 2026, anyone keeping or intending to keep a primate must hold a valid licence to comply with the law, and licences will be issued for a maximum of three years. Renewal will require further assessment to ensure standards are maintained.

The types of animals covered by the legislation include, but are not limited to:

• Tamarins
• Squirrel monkeys
• Spider monkeys
• Capuchin monkeys
• Lemurs
• Lorisids (“bush babies”)
• Marmosets

If you currently have a primate living in your home and you’d like to make an application to keep a primate legally from April 2026, please contact us at ep@eastsuffolk.gov.uk Applicants are encouraged to do so in a timely manner ahead of the deadline. Please note, we are currently working on our application form and fees and charges for this type of licence, but your early application would be most appreciated.

Licence Conditions

For further details about the Licence Conditions for keeping primates, visit the Gov.uk website. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with these, and ensure that you can meet them before applying for a licence. 

Who can apply?

Any person aged 18 years or older who is not disqualified from keeping primates.

Application Process

All new premises will need to submit an application form. Please note, as this is a new piece of legislation, our application form is currently under construction.

Licence Applications

The applicant must then send the completed forms to East Suffolk Council along with the application fee. The relevant local authority will be the one that covers the area of the applicant’s premises.

New licence applications

Before determining whether to grant an application for a primate licence, we must arrange for a suitable person to inspect the premises specified in the application to determine whether the licence conditions are likely to be met if the application were to be granted.

Licence renewal applications

An application to renew a licence must be made in the renewal period specified on the licence. Please note, an inspection (accompanied by a vet), must be made and therefore we encourage you to apply 3 months before the expiry date of the licence to allow for a suitable inspection date to be made.

The Inspection Process

All premises will be inspected before the licence is granted. The inspector will be looking to make sure the applicant has the following:

• Specialist knowledge in the species that they are caring for and a clear understanding of its needs and welfare. This would include the animals' mental and physical health, feeding and knowledge of environmental enrichment. The applicant should be able to demonstrate that they have researched and followed expert guidance in order to carry out their role.
• Comprehensive records that contain all the information required by the conditions that apply to the keeping of primates.
• An understanding of risks involved in caring for the animal, including an extensive risk assessment and written policies and procedures that are reviewed regularly. These documents should be available for the Inspector to examine.
• Training procedures in place to make sure staff know what is expected of them, and clear evidence of good supervision of staff.
• The premises itself will also be assessed so we can be sure the licence holder can meet the new laws relating to the physical environment in which the animals will be kept.

Based on this information, we will assess whether a licence can be granted. Inspections will be undertaken with a veterinary officer (employed by the council, and subsequently the cost of this will be charged to the applicant), and a local authority officer.

Is planning permission required?

We recommend that you discuss your proposals with Planning Services to determine whether a planning application is needed.

How do I apply for a licence?

All new premises will need to submit an application form. Please note, as this is a new piece of legislation, our application form is currently under construction, and we will publish it as soon as we can. Please contact us to discuss your intentions at your earliest convenience. (ep@eastsuffolk.gov.uk).

How much does a licence cost?

The fee for this activity is being determined. However, we expect it to be a flat rate for a licence granted for up to 3 years, plus the cost of the veterinary inspection fee. These fees are payable even if the licence cannot be granted.

How long does a licence last?

Three years from the date the licence is granted (unless the applicant requests for the licensable period to be shorter).

What can I do if my licence application is refused?

You can apply to the first-tier tribunal if your application is refused, within 28 days of the date of refusal.