The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2023 has been signed into law today and will come into force from 6 April 2026. The legislation brings in a licensing scheme, setting strict rules to ensure that only private keepers who can provide zoo-level welfare standards will be able to keep primates. 

A DEFRA spokesperson said:

"Primates have complex welfare and social needs and, according to most experts, cannot be properly cared for in domestic environments. Evidence, including from the 2019 Call for Evidence ‘Welfare of primates as pets in England’, and the 2020 and 2023 consultations on Primates as Pets in England welcomed regulations for primates and confirmed that Primates are often kept in unsuitable conditions, and by owners who are uninformed about the animals’ complex welfare needs. The new regulations will improve the welfare of potentially thousands of these intelligent animals and fulfils a manifesto commitment and Action Plan for Animal Welfare pledge.  

"These Regulations are made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and will prohibit the keeping of primates as pets in England without a specialist licence. Private primate keepers will be subject to a strict inspection regime to ensure welfare and licencing standards are upheld. From 6 April 2026, it will be an offence for anyone to keep a primate without a relevant licence. Failure to comply with licence conditions could result in an unlimited fine, removal of the primate or imprisonment for a term of up to 6 months."

What’s next? 

Existing primate keepers will have 2 years until 6 April 2026 to reach compliance with the welfare and licensing standards. 

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

Guidance will accompany the standards and will be published in due course.