Apply for a county parish holding (CPH) number

A county parish holding (CPH) number, or holding number, means the government knows where your livestock are kept and can trace them to help prevent and control disease.

You must get a CPH number for land and buildings used to keep livestock for any purpose.

If your land crosses a border, contact the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).

Rural Payments Agency
Telephone (Defra rural services helpline): 03000 200 301 
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm 
Find out about call charges

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

You should apply for a CPH number as early as possible to reduce the risk of delay.

If you have already registered other livestock, you can amend your CPH details.

Livestock you need a CPH number for includes:

The process is different if you keep fewer than 50 poultry or any number of other captive birds, for example, canaries, finches and pigeons.

Rules on getting a CPH number for certain uses

You do not need a CPH number to use animal by-products (ABP) or set up an ABP site.

If you’re setting up a slaughterhouse, you must first register with the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

The FSA tells the RPA who will issue you with a CPH number.

Get a CPH number for an animal gathering

You must [get a CPH number to hold an animal gathering](Animal gatherings: licences - GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-a-licence-to-hold-an-animal-gathering).

This is when certain species of animals are brought together from different places:

The application process is changing from 9 November 2026

For events taking place 90 days or more after 9 November 2026: