GovWire

This page tells you how to get a county parish holding (CPH) number (sometimes known as a holding number) in England.

Find out how to get a CPH number:

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

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

What you need a CPH number for

You must get a CPH number for land and buildings used to keep livestock for any purpose, including those kept as pets.

This is so that the government knows where the animals 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 birds)

You do not need a CPH number if you keep fewer than 50 poultry. But you can choose to register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) using the voluntary poultry registration form (IRA82).

By registering:

• APHA will be able to contact you if theres a disease outbreak (such as bird flu) in your area
• youll help prevent the spread of disease and protect the national poultry flock

CPH numbers for other purposes

You do not need a CPH number if youre only making a claim for rural payments.

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

• set up a slaughterhouse
• manufacture pet food
• host a showground
• register as a racing pigeon establishment

Call the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) if youre unsure what type of CPH number you need.

Before you start

You must be over 18 years old to apply.

Youll need the National Grid field numbers for:

• all land or buildings where youll keep livestock
• your main livestock gathering area (if you keep livestock in more than one place)

How to find National Grid field numbers for your land or building

Use the multi-agency geographic information for the countryside (MAGIC) map.Follow these instructions:

1. Select Get Started.
2. Search for a county, place or postcode.
3. Using the map, locate the land or building. Use the +/-icons to zoom in and out.
4. Select the Where am I function on the toolbar and then click on the land or building.
5. A pop-up box will appear showing the land details for this location. This includes the National Grid field number.

Other information youll need

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

• youll rent it for more than one year
• the landowner already has a CPHnumber

Youll also need your:

• contact details
• business name (if applicable) and what activities you do or what livestock you keep
• single business identifier (SBI) number (if youve got one)

Apply for a CPHnumber

You should get a CPH number before you move livestock onto land or into buildings.

If you need it urgently, tell RPA when you apply.

If youre registered on the Rural Payments service

Call RPA to apply for a CPH number.

If you are not registered on the Rural Payments service

You can either:

• fill in the apply for a county parish holding number (CPH) form
• call RPA through the Defra rural services helpline

RPA will register you on the Rural Payments service and send you an email with a validation link. You must click on this link within 12 hours to confirm your email address.

You will then get your CPH number by email.

When you get your CPH number

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

Depending on your circumstances, youll either get a:

• permanent CPH number
• 7000 series (landless keeper) CPH number

If you have a 7000 series (landless keeper) CPH number

You must either get a temporary land association (TLA) or a temporary county parish holding number (tCPH).

This is because this type of CPH is for your home address (rather than where the animals are to be kept). A TLA or tCPH links the land where youll be keeping livestock with your 7000 CPH number.

What to do next

Before you move livestock to where you plan to keep them, you must register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to get a flock or herd mark.

You do not need a flock mark for poultry.

You must use the flock or herd mark to identify animals born on your holding. You can also choose to use it for sheep or goats born elsewhere which have lost their original tags.

If youre going to keep cattle, bison or buffalo

You must also register as a cattle keeper with the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS).

If youre going to keep poultry

You must also complete the 