Primate pets: Solihull owners urged to obtain licences for monkeys

New England regulations make it illegal from April 6 to keep primates privately without a licence, and Solihull Council has set local fees for the new licences.

The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) England Regulations 2024, introduced last year, are leading local authorities to put new licensing arrangements in place for private primate ownership. From April 6 it will be an offence in England to keep monkeys, lemurs and other primates privately without an appropriate licence. Solihull Council discussed the new rules at a licensing meeting and agreed local fees that will apply to applicants. Council officers also noted uncertainty about how many primates, if any, are currently kept in the borough. Key details: - The regulations require private owners to hold a licence to keep primates from April 6, 2026, and place responsibility for issuing private licences with local authorities. - Penalties for keeping a primate without the appropriate licence can include up to six months in jail, an unlimited fine, or both. - The rules apply to private owners only and do not cover primates kept in zoos or those licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA). - Solihull Council agreed licence fees up to £680 for a three-year primate licence, and owners of chimpanzees, baboons and gorillas will also need a dangerous wild animal licence costing an additional £435. - Annie Bettison, the council’s licensing manager, said the authority does not know whether primates are currently kept in the borough and noted a concern that some owners might keep animals hidden. - The licensing meeting was held at the Civic Suite on Monday, January 27. Summary: The regulations move private primate licensing under local authority control and introduce criminal penalties for unlicensed ownership. Solihull Council has set local fees for the new three-year primate licence and for dangerous wild animal permits. How enforcement will proceed and whether current private keepers will apply for licences or retain animals out of sight are matters the council said remain to be clarified.