InformationKeeping of Primates

Licences to Keep Primates

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) introduced The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024, which came into effect from 6 April 2025.

The legislation introduced a licensing scheme to protect the welfare of primates which sets strict rules to ensure that only private keepers who can provide zoo-level welfare standards will be able to keep non-human primates.

From 6 April 2026, any person in possession of, or seeking to obtain a primate for a private collection, must hold a valid Keeping of Primates licence before acquiring the animal. Any person(s) in possession of a primate without a valid licence after 6^th April 2026 will be committing a criminal offence.

Applicants will receive a local authority vet inspection and if successful, these licences can be issued for a period of up to three years. 14 weeks before the licence expires, the Council will invite licence holders to lodge a renewal application to continue to keep their primates.

DEFRA have issued guidance for licensing and the responsibilities of privately kept primates.

If the species of primate kept is listed under the Schedule of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, you must hold a Dangerous Wild Animals Licence in addition to the Primates Licence.

You will only need to fill out the one application form, and there is a section within it to include an application for the Dangerous Wild Animals Licence if required.

More information on the licensing process can be found in the FAQs on this page.

Please download, print and complete the Application Form for a Licence to Keep Primates in East Devon.

Fees

The fee for a Keeping of Primates Licence where the primate is not a listed DWA is £459.00 and a combined Keeping of Primates Licence and DWA licence is £575.00.

The fee is payable at the time of application. Any veterinary inspector fees will be invoiced to you after the inspection as these are based upon time taken by the vet and are not included in the fees above.

Frequently asked questions

I am a private keeper of a primate. What do I need to do?

Please make an application for a Keeping of Primates Licence. You will also need to check if the species of primate(s) you keep are listed under the schedule of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. If they are, then you need to ensure you complete the sections of the application form to apply for both licences.

What conditions will I need to meet in order to be licensed?

You can find the conditions that you will need to meet in Schedule 1 of the Regulations. All applicants will need to meet the conditions.

If the primate is a species listed under the schedule of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, then the conditions for this licence will need to be met too.

Is anyone exempt from the need to be licensed?

The regulations do not apply to any premises licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 or places specified in a licence under section 2C of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

How much does a licence cost and what will happen after I apply?

You must pay a fee – more information can be found on our fees page. The cost of the vet’s time will also be recharged to the applicant. Once a valid application is received, an Animal Health & Licensing Officer will arrange to inspect your premises with the Council's appointed veterinary inspector. They will assess your premises against the conditions specified in the regulations.

How long do licenses last?

Primate licences where the primate is not listed as a dangerous wild animal will last for a maximum of 3 years, but you can request a shorter period if necessary.

Primate licences where the primate is listed as a dangerous wild animal can be issues up to a maximum of 3 years, however, the Dangerous Wild Animal Licences have a two year duration. You may wish to run the two licences side-by-side for a two-year duration so the vet and renewal inspections can be completed at the same time.

You must apply to renew your licence 10 weeks before your current one ends.

What paperwork will I need to submit with my application?

The regulations require the following paperwork to be kept as part of the licence. In order to ensure we deal with your application as quickly as possible; you should submit them as part of your application.

Your policies and procedures should provide a snapshot of your business and detail how you meet all of the licence conditions.

A plan of the premises
A register of all animals kept on the premises, including:

its name;
its sex;
its microchip number;
its date of birth or, if not known, its approximate date of birth;
its species;
its colour and markings;
the name and contact details of its previous keeper (where applicable);
the date and cause of its death (where applicable); and
where the primate is permanently transferred to other premises, the name and contact details of the new keeper (where applicable) and the address of the place to which it has been relocated;

A written emergency plan, covering:

the measures to be taken for the removal of the primates should the licensed premises become unsafe or uninhabitable;
the arrangements for the care of the primates during and following an emergency; and
an up-to-date list of emergency contact details that includes the fire service and police.

A written procedure for special circumstances, including contingencies in the event of:

the temporary isolation of any primate including arrangements for ensuring that the welfare needs of any primate that is being temporarily isolated are met during the period of its isolation.
the death or escape of a primate; and
the care of the primates following the revocation of the licence or the death of the licence holder.

The individual diet plans for each primate.

This must be created based on guidance from a vet or primate dietary expert.

A written hygiene protocol, covering:
Cleaning and disinfecting
Prevention and control of the spread of disease
Monitoring and ensuring health and welfare procedure
A written transportation procedure covering the welfare of the primate while being transported.

If the Primate is also a listed Dangerous Wild Animal under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, you will be required to provide the following additional documents:

If in a premises of multiple occupancy, i.e., a HMO, block of flats or a row of terraced properties, you must have an emergency plan in the event of an escape to protect public safety.
If in rented accommodation, evidence of permission from the landlord to keep a DWA must be supplied.
A risk assessment for keeping a dangerous wild animal.