Any person who keeps or is proposing to keep any primate in England on or after 6 April 2026 must obtain a primate licence under the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024. This does not apply to primates kept within:
- a licensed zoo
- a place specified under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
Check the full Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 on Gov.uk
Primate means an animal of any species other than human beings, that belongs to the primate order of mammals. The most commonly kept primates include marmosets, capuchins, squirrel monkeys, tamarins and lemurs.
The licence is valid for a maximum of three years. It sets zoo-level welfare standards for keeping primates. It is a criminal offence to:
- keep a primate privately without a licence
- by failing to comply with a condition on a licence which may result in a fine or imprisonment
You must also hold a Dangerous Wild Animals licence if the species of primate you keep is listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.
Check the full Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 on Gov.uk
Check for further guidance on Gov.uk for:
Fees
Check the primate licensing fees and how to pay in Westmorland and Furness
Before you apply
Before applying for a licence, you must prepare procedural documentation to show:
- how you care for the primate
- how you meet the licence conditions
What you will need to provide
Operating procedures
Operating procedures must provide details on:
- a register of all primates including their microchip details
- the persons responsible for the care of the primates including details of their training and experience
- nutrition and feeding of primates including diet plans
- checks of the primate’s physical health including the details of their registered veterinarian and how the spread of disease is prevented or controlled
- the environment where the primate is kept including the enclosure sizes and the cleaning requirements
- promoting natural behaviour, handing and restraint
- transportation
- breeding control and healthcare management
Emergency plans
Your emergency plans should include:
- measures taken if the licensable premises is uninhabitable, in an emergency
- details of emergency contacts including fire service and police
Written procedures
Your written procedures should include:
- the temporary isolation of any primate
- the death of a primate
- the care of the primate in the event the licence is revoked or the licence holder dies
You must submit all documentation as part of your application. Full details are included in the licence conditions. Once this has been prepared, you must complete the application form in full.
Apply, renew or vary a licence
A9 Keeping Primates Application Form 2026 (DOCX , 90KB)
Submit your application to the Public Protection team in your area.
Barrow
Email: commercial@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Eden
Email: env.health@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk