Primate Licensing Guidance Published: What Pet Professionals Need to Know
In July 2024, DEFRA published formal guidance to support the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024, which will be enforced from 6 April 2026. These regulations introduce new minimum welfare standards and a formal licensing process for anyone keeping a non-human primate in England. Primate keepers should begin applying for their licence as soon as possible to ensure they are ready for the full implementation in April 2026
While this legislation primarily affects private exotic pet keepers, it will also have significant implications for pet professionals, particularly those involved in:
Animal encounters or education sessions
Mobile zoos or outreach events
Educational institutions
What does the Primate Regulations cover?
From April 2025 anyone keeping primates in England will require a specific primate licence, unless the primate is being kept under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 or the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. These regulations are intended to ensure the welfare of primates kept in non-zoo and domestic settings, preventing unsuitable environments and raising the bar for primate welfare.
Depending on the species kept additional licensing may also be required under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, A full list of the species requiring a DWA license can be found at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/2465 but primate species including squirrel monkeys, marmosets and tamarins are exempt.
The new regime includes:
Strict requirements for enclosure size and complexity,
Minimum standards for social housing and veterinary care,
Mandatory licensing, inspection and enforcement by local authorities.
Licences will be valid for up to three years, with renewal based on compliance and ongoing inspection.
How does this differ from existing licensing?
There is now a clearer separation between three overlapping regimes:
Covered by…
If you keep a primate(s) for private ownership (not open to the public) you will need a licence under the The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024
If you keep or display primates to the public for 7 or more days a year you will need a license under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981
If you use primates for display, exhibition, or entertainment (e.g. mobile animal encounters) and these animals are not kept in a licensed zoo then you will be licensed under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (known as the LAIA Regs) AND the new primate licence
To recap - If your business exhibits, uses, or displays primates, for example, animal care colleges, at a school visit, party, or educational event, you will need both a LAIA licence for exhibition and a primate licence for the animals in your care.
If you run a mobile zoo, or if your primates are not kept at a static zoo-type facility, the primate licence will likely apply in addition to your LAIA obligations.
DEFRA’s guidance also makes it clear that a Zoo Licence does not exempt you from a Primate Licence unless you are fully zoo licensed, inspected by a Secretary of State-appointed zoo inspector, and meet the primate-specific welfare conditions.
Where does LAIA come in?
Under the Licensing of Activities Involving Animals (LAIA) Regulations 2018, anyone who displays or exhibits animals for educational or entertainment purposes (whether for payment or not) must be licensed by their local authority. This includes:
Animal encounter companies
Mobile animal experiences
Social media creators who include animals in content
Schools or care homes running regular animal interaction sessions
Colleges and universities
If primates are part of those activities, you will now need to demonstrate compliance with both the LAIA licence and the new Primate Licence. This means:
Double inspections (possibly by different local authority officers),
More stringent welfare and accommodation checks,
Enhanced staff competence and training requirements.
Next steps
✅ If you own or work with primates in any capacity:
Review the full DEFRA guidance on the Primate Licences Regulations 2024, adapting your accommodation and husbandry plans where necessary.
Speak with your local authority well before April 2026 to clarify whether you need one or more licences.
Start planning for the significant infrastructure, training, and record-keeping requirements.
As an Alliance member you can access assured guidance through our Primary Authority partnership with City of London Corporation.
Final thoughts
The introduction of a primate licensing regime is a welcome step forward for animal welfare, raising the bar for pet professionals who include primates in their work. At the Animal Focused Alliance, we will continue to monitor developments, engage with our Primary Authority Partners on implementation, and support members with resources to remain compliant and uphold the highest standards of animal care.
Not sure whether these new rules apply to you?
Get in touch with the Alliance, and we’ll help you understand the impact based on your specific activity and licensable setup.
