Primate Keeper Licences

New regulations mean that from 6 April 2026, you will need a licence if you keep one or more primates, these include:

• Marmosets
• Tamarins
• Squirrel Monkeys
• Spider Monkeys
• Capuchin Monkeys
• Lemurs
• Lorisids (also known as bush babies)

The regulations can be read here: The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024

The only exemptions from the requirement to hold a licence under these regulations will be licensed zoos and medical / research facilities authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

The regulations bring in a licensing scheme, setting strict rules to ensure that only those who can provide zoo-level welfare standards will be able to keep primates.

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 must undergo reassessment to maintain and 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 for a licence

To apply for a licence you will need to complete an application form and make payment of the application fee

After you apply for a licence, an inspection by a vet or other suitably qualified and experienced person will be arranged to check whether the licence conditions are likely to be met if the application were to be granted.

Following the inspection, if we are satisfied that the licence conditions are likely to be met, the application will be granted. If we are not satisfied, then the application must be refused.

Licences will normally be granted for a period of three years and will then expire.

Whilst it doesn't become a legal requirement to hold a licence to keep primates until 6 April 2026, we would encourage all primate keepers to make their applications as early as possible to allow plenty of time for inspections to take place and for decisions to be made. Any licences issued before 6 April 2026, will be granted to take effect from that date.

Fees

The fees are:

New Application £371 (+ vet fees)

Renewal Application £330 (+ vets fees)

Variation Application £330 (+ vets fees)

The fee is set by the local authority, and this must be paid at the time of application for it to be valid. Applications can be emailed to Licensing.applications@stratford-dc.gov.uk with the fee paid via our payments line on 01789 260979.

The vet's fees will be payable (invoiced to the applicant) after the inspection has taken place. Vets fees will vary depending on the inspection time, mileage and reporting time incurred by the vet.

Guidance

The Secretary of State has published statutory guidance on primate keeper licences. We are required to have regard to this guidance when carrying out our licensing functions under the regulations.

Links to the three parts of the guidance are available below:

Licensing process for keeping primates

Licence conditions for primate keepers (Schedule 1)

What if I have information about a primate being kept in the area?

If you want to pass on any information or concerns about any primates that are currently being kept in the Stratford-on-Avon District Council area, please contact us by emailing licensing@stratford-dc.gov.uk .