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. It’s 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 to use animal by-products (ABP) or set up an ABP site.

Before you start

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

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

There’s 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 you’re unsure what type of CPH number you need.

Registering less than 50 poultry or other captive birds

If you’re a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds, you must register with APHA. This includes any birds you keep as pets. APHA will provide you with a CPH number when you register. You should not apply for a CPH number from RPA separately.

If you already have a CPH number from keeping other livestock, call the RPA to get your CPH number updated to include keeping 50 poultry or other captive birds.

Who can apply for a CPH number online 

You can apply for a CPH number using the online form if you’re:

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

Do not use the online form if you’re 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 - you’ll 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.

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 you’ll keep livestock
• any other land or buildings where you’ll keep livestock

For example, if you’re 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 county, 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 fourthsecond icon along (‘Where am I?’) – it- 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 fourththird number down and comes after the ‘Grid Ref’ (Ordnance Survey grid reference). It’s made up of 2 letters and 8 numbers, for example, ABSO 12340418 5678.8589.

Other information you’ll need

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

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

Apply online for a CPH number

Start now

If you cannot complete the form

If you’re unable to complete the form, call RPA to complete your application over the phone.

WhatAfter happensyou’ve nextapplied

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 you’d prefer to apply for a CPH number by phone.