Primate keeper licences

Primate Keeper Licences

New regulations that took effect on 6 April 2026 mean that you need a licence if you keep one or more primates. These include:

• Marmosets
• Tamarins
• Squirrel Monkeys
• Spider Monkeys
• Capuchin Monkeys
• Lemurs
• Lorisids (also known as bush babies).

The regulations can be found under Documents.

The only exemptions from the requirement to hold a licence under these regulations are licensed zoos and medical / research facilities authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

The regulations introduced a licensing scheme, setting strict rules to ensure that only those who can provide zoo-level welfare standards will be able to keep primates.

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 to 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, is committing an offence under section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and mayl be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term of up to six months, an unlimited fine or both.

How to apply for a licence

To apply for a licence you need to complete an application form and make payment for the application fee of £350.

You can apply for a primate keeper licence through our new licensing portal below:

Licensing portal

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.  The applicant for the licence will be liable to meet the costs associated with this inspection and must make payment before a licence any licence will be issued.  The inspections costs are in addition to the fee that must be paid to apply for a licence.

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.

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 for more information at a later date.

How to make changes to an existing licence

Information on how to apply to make variations to a primate keeper licence will be provided here shortly.  Please check back for more information at a later date.

Guidance

The Secretary of State has published statutory guidance on primate keeper licences.  We are required to have regard to this guidance when carrying out our licensing functions under the regulations.

Links to the guidance are available under Documents.

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 Tewkesbury Borough Council area, please contact us by emailing licensing@tewkesbury.gov.uk