Animal health and welfare licences

The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 - GOV.UK came into force from 6 April 2026. 

The legislation brought in a licensing scheme, setting strict rules to ensure that only private keepers who can provide zoo-level welfare standards can keep primates.

From 6 April 2026, all private primate keepers and people proposing to keep a primate are required to hold a licence, valid for a maximum of three years, and undergo reassessment to renew their permission to keep their animals.

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 – GOV.UK and will be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term of up to six months, a fine or both.

Types of primates needing a licence

Any primate that is being kept by a private keeper must be licensed by 6 April 2026, these include:

• marmosets
• tamarins
• squirrel monkeys
• spider monkeys
• capuchin monkeys
• lemurs
• lorisids (also known as bush babies)

Private keeper of primate

You should apply for a primate licence as early as you can. Doing so will mean that you have a longer period to adapt to the changes that will become law in April 2026.

Licence conditions

You can find the conditions that you will need to meet in Schedule 1 of the The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 - GOV.UK. All applicants will need to meet the conditions.

Exemptions

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

Cost

Apply for a licence

Start now

After you apply

Once a valid application has been processed we will be in touch to arrange your inspection alongside a veterinarian or a suitably qualified person who specialises in the required species.

Licence duration

Primate licences last for a maximum of three years but you can request a shorter period if necessary.

Required information

The regulations require the following paperwork to be kept as part of the licence.

So, we can deal with your application as quickly as possible, you should submit them as part of your application.

Your policies and procedures should detail how you meet all the licence conditions.

• a plan of the premises
• a register of all primates 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)
  • 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
  • an up-to-date list of emergency contact details that includes the fire service and police
• a written procedure for special circumstances, including plans 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
  • the care of the primate(s) 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
  • a written transportation procedure covering the welfare of the primate(s) while being transported.

Contact

For more information, contact our Licensing Service. 

Email: licensing@luton.gov.uk
Phone: 01582 546040

Luton Council
Town Hall
George Street
Luton
LU1 2BQ