UK to ban private monkey keeping: new law to take effect in 2026
2024-08-08
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On November 30, 2023, local time, at the London Zoo in the UK, a squirrel monkey was eating food on a Christmas stocking-themed calendar. File photo
According to the British "Mirror" report on August 5, a law banning British residents from keeping monkeys as pets will come into effect on April 6, 2026.
The number of primates kept as pets in the UK has reached 5,000, official figures show. The ban was introduced by the previous government as a measure to stop the number of domestic monkeys in the UK from increasing. While the ban does not come into effect until April 6, 2026, and is likely to be repealed by the new Labour government, people who want to keep monkeys now face strict conditions and the environment in their homes must mimic "zoo-level standards".
The new law requires all private breeders who keep primates to hold a license issued by the local government. If they fail to comply with the conditions of the license, they will be fined unlimited money or deprived of the right to keep primates. The fate of the 5,000 primates currently living in British homes remains uncertain, and they may eventually be sent to zoos across the country.
David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, welcomed the law, saying: "It is almost impossible to meet the needs of monkeys and other primates in a home environment. We strive to create a better world for every animal. This legislation is important for animal welfare and ensures that primates live in the right environment. Many times, monkeys live in the wrong environment and eat completely inappropriate food. This new law has the potential to change that."
(Source: China Youth Network)
