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.

Read how to register land you use to keep livestock for more about:

• what you must do when you get your CPH number
• using extra land or buildings temporarily to keep livestock
• how to update the details you gave when you applied for a CPH number

You can only use this form to apply for a CPH number in England.

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

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

Before you start

You must be over 18 years old to apply.

Get the National Grid field numbers for your land or buildings

You must provide the National Grid field numbers for:

• your main livestock gathering area - this is the main area where youll keep livestock
• all land or buildings where youll keep livestock

RPA needs accurate National Grid field numbers to know exactly where animals will be kept.

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 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. The National Grid field number is made up of 2 letters and 8 numbers, for example, AB 1234 5678. It appears after the Grid Ref (Ordnance Survey grid reference).

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

Youll also need:

• your contact details
• your business name (if you have one)
• what livestock youll keep
• what activities youll do
• your single business identifier (SBI) number (if youve got one)

Apply for a CPH number

If youre already registered on the Rural Payments service, call the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) for a CPH number.

If youre not registered on the Rural Payments service, use this form to apply for a CPH number for land or buildings in England.

How to complete the form

1. Open the form in a PDF reader, such as Acrobat Reader.
2. Download and save the form to your computer.
3. Fill in the form and save it again.
4. Attach the completed form to an email and send it to ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk. Use new customer online CPH request as the subject.

You must answer all the questions in the form and only send one copy. If you do not, this could delay you getting your CPH number.

If youre unable to complete or email the form, call RPA.

What happens next

RPA will:

• register you as a business on the Rural Payments service - RPA needs to do this even if you keep livestock as pets or for a hobby
• give you a SBI number and a customer reference number (CRN)
• send you an email with a validation link - you must click on this link within 12 hours to confirm your email address

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