Primate licence

The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2023 will come into force from 6 April 2026. This will bring in strict rules to ensure that only private keepers who can provide zoo-level welfare standards will be able to keep primates. 

Existing primate keepers will have 2 years until 6 April 2026 to reach compliance with the welfare and licensing standards. 

From 6 April 2026 all private primate keepers will be required to hold a licence, valid for a maximum of 3 years, and undergo reassessment to renew their permission to keep these animals. 

Further government guidance will be published in due course.

Last updated 11 March 2024