Council receives first application to keep primate

A council has received its first application for a private licence to keep a monkey.

Middlesbrough Council would not disclose any further details, such as where in the town the hopeful primate owner is based, beyond that it had received an initial application covered by new rules.

Legislation which came into force earlier this year means those who wish to keep monkeys and other primates in residential settings must have a licence to do so, with local authorities responsible for enforcing rules attached to it.

The licence lasts for three years, or a shorter period when requested by the applicant.

Primates must be kept and remain in their enclosure on licensed premises at all times, unless removed for a permitted reason such as vet treatment, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Every enclosure must include an indoor and an outdoor area.

The new regulations came into effect in April this year, with the law saying those keeping lemurs, marmosets and other similar animals outside of a zoo setting must now provide zoo-level welfare.

Local authorities must make sure individuals who apply for a licence are likely to meet conditions and are not disqualified from keeping primates.

They must take appropriate enforcement action against individuals who do not have a licence when they should.

They are also responsible for enforcing the licence conditions.

If a person is keeping a primate and does not have a licence, they are committing a criminal offence and could be fined or sent to prison.

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