There is new legislation which from April 2026 will require anyone keeping primate(s) to hold a licence.
Licence to keep primates
New regulations for Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) mean that from 6 April 2026 you need a licence to keep primates, these include:
- Apes
- Lemurs
- Spider monkeys
- Night (owl) monkeys
- Marmosets
- Tamarins
- Squirrel monkeys
- Lorisids including bush babies
You will need to apply to us for a licence if you keep the primate in Rushmoor. You will be able to start applying for this licence from 6 April this year.
Applying for a licence
We cannot accept applications until 6 April 2025.
You will need to complete our primate licensing application form and send it to us after 6 April.
You cannot make an application if you are under the age of 18, or if you have been disqualified from keeping primates.
Fees
There will be a fee payable with your application. We will let you know the fees once we are accepting applications.
We will also update other requirements, as we receive additional guidance from the government.
Contact us