The last Conservative government launched proposals to ban keeping primates as pets in England in 2020. The public consultation on the government’s manifesto commitment to ban keeping primates such as capuchins, lemurs and squirrel monkeys formed part of a push to cement the UK’s position as a world leader on animal welfare.
Primates are highly intelligent wild animals with complicated welfare needs. They require open spaces, varied diets, social contact and plenty of warmth and light. Findings from a recent call for evidence found that these complex needs cannot be met in a home environment.
I was therefore proud to support the last Conservative government in passing Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2023, which cemented these principles into UK law and improved the welfare of thousands of animals.
The legislation brought in a licensing scheme setting strict rules to ensure that only private keepers who can provide the highest welfare standards are able to keep primates. It is estimated that up to 5,000 primates are kept as pets in the UK, with complex welfare and social needs and that cannot be properly cared for in a domestic setting.
Under the changes, introduced via secondary legislation under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is no longer possible to keep primates in domestic settings as household pets in environments that fail to provide for their needs. Licensing is expected to come into force in 2026, subject to parliamentary processes, with existing keepers having two years from the regulations being approved to reach compliance with the licensing conditions.
The new laws delivered on a manifesto commitment made in 2019.