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)

Before you start

You can only apply for aCPHnumber a maximum of 6 weeks before the livestock arrive.

You must get aCPHnumber if your businessuses animal by-products.

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

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

Call theRPAif youre unsure what type ofCPHnumber you need.

Who can apply for aCPHnumber online

You can apply for aCPHnumber using the online form if youre:

• not already registered on theRural Payments service(theRPAs 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.RPAalready has much of the information it needs to process your application. Apply by phone instead.

Find out how to apply for aCPHnumber:

• in Wales, on theWelsh Government website
• in Scotland - youll need tocontact your local area office

CallRPAif your land crosses a border.

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

Get the National Grid field numbers for your land or buildings

You must provide accurate National Grid field numbers so thatRPAknow 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 themulti-agency geographic information for the countryside (MAGIC) mapto 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 aCPHnumber

Apply online for a CPH number

Start now

If you cannot complete the form

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

What happens next

RPAwill 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 contactRPAto get another email validation link.

You should get yourCPHnumber 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 contactingRPAin future.

Other ways to apply

CallRPAif youd prefer to apply for aCPHnumber by phone.