Primates should not be kept as pets

They deserve full legal protection in the UK. 

**This is a continuation of the petition started here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/primates-not-playmates/ which was prematurely closed due to a technical glitch.  We will cull duplicate signatures before presenting this petition to the House of Commons** 


As a group, primates are recognised as being highly intelligent animals with complex emotional and physical needs and capabilities.  All primate species are threatened.  The keeping of primates as pets compromises their welfare, and hinders efforts to conserve primate species in the wild.  Pet primates pose a threat to human safety. 

The government has repeatedly acknowledged that primates do not make suitable pets.  In April 2010, a Code of Practice for the Welfare of Privately Kept Non-Human Primates came into force in England.  The government anticipates that this "will restrict the keeping of primates by private keepers to specialists".  Evidence gathered by Wild Futures since the Code's coming into force is mixed but there is some indication that the Code is not acting to restrict the trade, and is seen as optional guidance by some enforcing authorities.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons

Actively monitor the implementation of the Code and complete an assessment of its efficacy by 2015 or sooner, as stated in the Ninth Report on the Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldselect/ldmerit/50/5002.htm).  If the Code is found to be unsuccessful in restricting the keeping of primates to "specialist keepers" (those who can clearly demonstrate a purpose other than the simple need for companionship or an interesting hobby) i.e. for purposes of conservation via a recognised conservation programme or for the genuine welfare of the animal involved, then we ask that the Government take further steps to protect primates by introducing legislation which bans the trade in primates as pets.