Monkey owners in Rotherham could face new £199 licence under national welfare laws
The council says it does not yet know how many primates are being kept privately in the borough, although up to 5,000 are thought to be kept as pets across the UK.
Residents keeping monkeys and other primates in Rotherham could soon have to pay £199 for a licence under new national animal welfare laws.
Cabinet members are being asked on Monday, July 6 to recommend the fee to full council after new national regulations came into force in April requiring private primate keepers to be licensed by their local authority.
The council says it does not yet know how many primates are being kept privately in the borough, although up to 5,000 are thought to be kept as pets across the UK.
Under the new rules, applicants must provide details of each primate, including its species, sex, age and any microchip number. Council officers will inspect the premises before deciding whether to grant a licence and will carry out at least one further inspection during the three-year licence period.
The regulations are designed to ensure only people who can meet strict welfare standards are allowed to keep primates, which the government says have complex social and care needs. Keeping a primate without the required licence is an offence.