Primate licensing

You must apply for the licence before getting the primate.

The application must include:

• the name and address of the applicant
• the species of primates to be kept under the primate licence - this should be the Latin name (that is, the full scientific name) for the species to prevent confusion
• the number of primates of each species to be kept under the licence
• the address of the premises where the primates are to be kept
• the date from which the applicant proposes that the licence should have effect
• where the applicant requests the licence to be granted for a period of less than the maximum 3 years, the date on which the applicant requests the licence to expire - it is also useful to include the reason for this (for example, to align with licence terms under a DWA or LAIA licence)

Additionally the application must specify the following for each primate proposed to be kept under the licence:

• name and sex
• species
• date of birth or, if not known, approximate date of birth
• the number of any microchip implanted in the primate

Also required:

• Photographs and details of the individual markings will need to be provided.
• Enclosure arrangements for the primate including drawings and plans
• Emergency response arrangements 
• Isolation facilities
• Details of supplier or current owner
• Primate record including health status and vaccinations etc
• Enclosure arrangements and size
• Transportation arrangements of any primates
• Breeding Health and Management plan provided by the veterinarian
• A plan of the premises (showing the buildings within the plot and also the internal arrangement)
• Standard operating procedures (including any monitoring forms, record sheets etc.)
• Emergency response plan (a template is available from the Animal Control team)
• Preventative healthcare plan (signed by your vet)
• Qualifications & training records
• Written permission from landlord (if applicable)
• Any other documentation required by the licence conditions for primate keepers

After your application is received

When your application form is received we will email you a link to pay your fee on line. 

If we need more information to process your application, we’ll contact you by email to tell you what information we need.  

Fees

The following fees are for a new or a renewal and don't include a specialist vet fee.

Part A fee payable on application and Part B payable once application is successful in order to be issued the licence.

Inspections

Once you have paid the Part A fee and we have received a suitable set of supporting documentation and procedures, we will contact you to arrange an inspection of the premises. This will be conducted by one of our licensing officers and an independent specialist vet.

We are required to appoint a suitable person to inspect for the keeping of primates’ inspections. The person Gravesham appoints will be a suitably competent Vet.

You will be sent a link to pay the recharge for the Vet inspection fee. The fee is considered to be part of the application process and failure to pay it will result in the licence not being granted.

After the inspection, we will contact you to inform you if any additional matters need to be addressed, if so time will be given to resolve those issues.

We will then let you know the outcome of your licence application.

If a licence is granted

To complete your application, you will need to have paid the vet fee. Once that is paid the application can be determined.

If the application is successful, you will be granted a licence for a period of 3 years unless you wish it to be shorter e.g. to align with another licence.

In order for the licence to be issued you will need to pay the Part B fee - this covers the maintenance of the licence throughout its length.

Interim inspections

Announced and unannounced interim inspections may occur during the licence term, to determine whether the licence holder is meeting the licence conditions on an ongoing basis or following complaint or animal welfare concerns.

Issuing of the licence

Once all fees are paid the licence will be issued in PDF and sent by email.

The licence will include the conditions required by the guidance.

Read the Guidance on the Licence Conditions for Primate Keepers (Schedule 1)

We will also provide you with a copy of the inspection summary report.

You must display your licence at the premises where the primate is kept.

Renewing your licence

If you intend to continue keeping the primate, you will need to apply to renew your licence at least 10 weeks before it expires.

We will write to you 3 months before your licence is due to expire to advise you to renew. It's the licence holder's responsibility to renew in time.

If the application is refused

If we have not granted you a licence following inspection, we will let you know why.  

We will give you a copy of the inspection report, as well as details of the appeals process. 

You will not be able to keep the animal without a licence.