Agenda item

The Interim Principal Licensing Officer, Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS), presented the report to Members. The purpose of the report was for Members to note the report and recommend to Council that the applicable Fees and charges are set.

Officers detailed that in March 2024, The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 was made, due to go into effect from 6^th April 2025 and being enforceable from 6^th April 2026.

As the regulation was determined by central government, a consultation was not required by Local Authorities and therefore members were asked to note the report and Recommend to Council that the applicable licence fees were set.

Officers detailed that from information provided by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), approximately 5000 primates were being kept privately within Britain, the most common of which being Marmosets, Tamarins and Squirrel Monkeys.

During 2019 following manifesto commitments, a call for evidence was undertaken which found that 98.7% of respondents expressed support for the ban of keeping, selling, breeding or otherwise transferring ownership of Primates unless appropriately licenced. It was further detailed that there was strong support for any licence holder being required to maintain their care to “Zoo Level Standards”.

In 2023 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) were consulted on introducing a licencing regime and on 5^th March 2024, Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 were made under section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Officers detailed that the regime would come into effect on 6^th April 2025 and it would be illegal to own a primate without an appropriate licence from 6^th April 2026.

The legislation did not detail the level of qualification which inspectors had to attain, nor clarify if further training was required. WRS would be monitoring this detail and would act accordingly when new information was available.

A web page had been implemented by WRS to inform the public of the new legislation, Officers commented that it would be difficult to identify private owners of primates but that they were relying on information provided by Members of the pubic, however, they would also contact veterinary practices which may be aware of owners who they have assisted previously.

After questions from Members, the following was clarified:

·       No guidance had been given as to what would happen to Primates whose owners did not intend to pursue attaining a licence.

·       That a licence would have a maximum duration of 3 years before expiry when it needed to be renewed.

·       Fees were a best estimate, based on current fee amounts. Should it cost more than expected to undertake the work, an amendment would be put forward by WRS to the relevant body to adjust the fees.

·       That inspections would be undertaken at random, it was detailed that an inspection would be undertaken at the start/renewal of the licence and it was intended for there to be one unannounced inspection during its 2 or 3 year duration.

Members were generally in support of the regulation of keeping Primates and that it would promote safe keeping and handling. It was noted that more random inspections to maintain standards would be preferred, however, Members appreciated that the guidance was determined within the legislation.

On being put to a vote it was:

RESOLVED that

                           i.          The contents of the report be noted.

                         ii.          The fees applicable to Primate Keeper Licence applications, as detailed under section 3.28 on page 28 of the Supplementary Agenda pack be recommend to Council.