Apply for a Primate Licence
Primate Keeper Licence
New regulations mean that from 6 April 2026, you will need a licence if you keep one or more primates. A primate is an animal of any species other than human beings that belong to the primate order of mammals. This includes but is not limited to, any species of monkey, ape, lemur, loris or tarsier.
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 tat only those 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. 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.
The regulations can be read here: The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024
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 of £320.00.
Application form Word format
Application form PDF format
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.
How to renew an existing licence
Information on how to apply to renew a primate keeper licence will be provided here shortly. Please check back regularly for more information.
How to make changes to an existing licence
Information on how to apply to make a variation to a primate keeper licence will be provided here shortly. Please check back regularly for more information.
Guidance
The Secretary of State will shortly be publishing further statutory guidance on primate keeper licences.
A link to this guidance will be made available on this webpage once it has been published. Please check back regularly for more information.
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 Gloucester City Council area, please contact us by emailing community.wellbeing@gloucester.gov.uk.
Will tacit consent apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted.