‘Clock is ticking’ for UK Government to provide clarity on the future of thousands of pet monkeys

New law welcomed – but safeguards will stop monkeys being dumped

The clock is ticking for the UK Government to provide urgent clarity about the future of thousands of pet monkeys across England.

It is exactly one year until new regulations – the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2023 – come into force which will heavily curtail the keeping of pet monkeys in England.

The RSPCA has warmly welcomed the new law – which introduces a licensing scheme setting strict requirements on those keeping primates, which will be enforced by local authorities.

Charity welfare experts say meeting the needs of monkeys and other primates is practically impossible to do in a household or domestic environment.

However, there are concerns that more needs to be done from the UK Government to communicate the impact of the new regulations – and to make arrangements for pet monkeys that will no longer legally be able to stay with their owners.

Without clearer direction, the RSPCA fears pet monkeys could be “abandoned, dumped and turfed out onto the streets”.

The UK Government says the restrictions will be so tight they will effectively “ban the practice of keeping primates as pets”.

Estimates suggest there could be as many as 5,000 monkeys being kept as pets across the country – but the RSPCA says there is a lack of “clear” data on this, and is urging the UK Government to produce a roadmap for how the new regulations will be implemented.

David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, said: “This new law is a really welcome move for animal welfare – helping ensure monkeys can live in an appropriate environment.

“Sadly, our frontline officers have seen the impact of pet primates living in houses, being fed inappropriate diets and experiencing a poor and unacceptable quality of life.

“But with thousands of pet monkeys estimated to be being kept across England, we need clear direction now from the UK Government about how these new regulations will be implemented, what provisions will be made for monkeys needing to leave inappropriate homes, and how local authorities will be supported to enforce the rules.”

The new law contains no so-called ‘grandfather rights’ – meaning existing owners will not be exempt from the new strict criteria.

Dr Ros Clubb, Head of Wildlife at the RSPCA, added: “UK Ministers must clearly set out how the welfare needs of these monkeys will be met once the new law comes into force.

“With no clear figures on exactly how many primates will be impacted, where they are, or any safeguards against them being dumped when the new rules came in, it’s vital the UK Government offers urgent clarity ahead of the changes in England next year.

“There’s a real risk that without a clear roadmap, monkeys could end up suffering illegally behind closed doors, or face being abandoned, dumped and turfed out onto the streets”.

Information on the welfare issues associated with the keeping of primates as pets can be found on the RSPCA website.

Meanwhile, the charity recently launched its new Animal Futures podcast – hosted by journalist and broadcaster Kate Quilton. The six episodes take a deep dive into what the future may hold for animal welfare, and the role everyone can play in securing a kinder future for every kind.