Labour to ban pet monkeys
Pledge is key strand of party’s animal welfare manifesto for next general election
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Owning a pet monkey is to be made illegal if Labour forms the next government, the party has announced.
Trading, training and keeping primates – including marmosets, capuchins and lemurs – would be made a criminal offence under the new policy revealed on Tuesday.
It forms a central part of the party’s animal welfare manifesto, which will be revealed in full in the autumn, shadow environment minister Luke Pollard said.
The MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said: “It is astonishing that it is still entirely legal to keep primates as pets, regardless of how endangered or dangerous the animal is.
“Anyone can browse the internet and buy a primate with little or no checks and inspections.
“We know that primates are very intelligent, social animals with complex needs that simply cannot be met in a home environment.
“Labour will ban people from keeping pet primates as part of our plans to bring Britain’s animal welfare laws into the 21st century.”
The party estimates that around 5,000 monkeys are currently kept as domestic animals in the UK.
Present legislation states that owners must prevent “unnecessary suffering” and must take “all reasonable steps to meet their animal’s needs”.
But critics say the rules are difficult to enforce and a breaches are considered criminal offences.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments