GovWire

You must get a county parish holding (CPH) number for land and buildings used to keep livestock for any purpose, including those kept as pets. Its sometimes referred to as a holding number.

You must do this so that the government knows where livestock are kept and can trace them to help prevent and control disease.

Livestock includes:

• cattle, bison and buffalo (bovine animals)
• pigs
• goats
• sheep
• deer
• poultry (if you have 50 or more)

You do not need a CPH number if you keep fewer than 50 birds. But you must register them with APHA.

You must also get a CPH number if your business uses animal by-products.

Theres a different process to get a CPH number if, for example, you plan to:

• set up a slaughterhouse
• register as a racing pigeon establishment

Call the RPA if youre unsure what type of CPH number you need.

Who can apply for a CPH number online

You can apply for a CPH number using the online form if youre:

• not already registered on the Rural Payments service (the RPAs registration system)
• over 18 years old
• keeping livestock in England

Do not use the online form if youre already registered on the Rural Payments service. RPA already has much of the information it needs to process your application. Apply by phone instead.

Find out how to apply for a CPH number:

• in Wales, on the Welsh Government website
• in Scotland - youll need to contact your local area office

Call RPA if your land crosses a border.

The rules are different in Northern Ireland. Read the guidance for animal identification, registration and movements.

Before you start

Apply for a CPH number a maximum of 6 weeks before the livestock arrive.

Get the National Grid field numbers for your land or buildings

You must provide accurate National Grid field numbers so that RPA know exactly where animals will be kept.

You must provide the National Grid field numbers for:

• the main area where youll keep livestock
• any other land or buildings where youll keep livestock

For example, if youre a pet owner, the main area you keep livestock might be a back yard, garden or piece of land attached to your house.

If you keep livestock as a hobby, the main area might be a community allotment, back yard or a piece of land you own. For farmers, the main area is the gathering point on your farm yard or main field.

Use the multi-agency geographic information for the countryside (MAGIC) map to find the National Grid field numbers for your land or buildings. Follow these instructions:

1. Select Get Started.
2. Search for a place or postcode.
3. Using the map, locate the land or building. Use the +/- icons to zoom in and out.
4. In the top toolbar, select the fourth icon along (Where am I?) it looks like a target.
5. Click on the land or building.
6. A pop-up box will appear showing the land details for this location. The National Grid field number is the fourth number down and comes after the Grid Ref (Ordnance Survey grid reference). Its made up of 2 letters and 8 numbers, for example, AB 1234 5678.

Other information youll need

Youll need to say if you own or rent the land or buildings where youll keep the livestock. If you rent it, youll need to confirm if:

• you have a tenancy agreement to rent it for more than one year
• the landowner already has a CPH number

Start now

If you cannot complete the form

If youre unable to complete the form, call RPA to complete your application over the phone.

What happens next

RPA will send you an email with a validation link to confirm your email address. You must click on this link within 12 hours. If you do not do this within 12 hours, you must contact RPA to get another email validation link.

You should get your CPH number by email within 10 working days. It may take longer during busy periods, or if the information you provided is incorrect.

The email will also include a single business identifier (SBI) and customer reference number (CRN) to use when contacting RPA in future.

Other ways to apply

Call RPA if youd prefer to apply for a CPH number by phone.