Form

Guidance: racing pigeon establishment application for a county parish holding number

Updated 21 July 2023

Applies to England and Wales

© Crown copyright 2023

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/racing-pigeon-establishments-apply-for-a-county-parish-holding-number/guidance-racing-pigeon-establishment-application-for-a-county-parish-holding-number

Racing Pigeon establishments (pigeon lofts) need a county parish holding (CPH) number if they want to move racing pigeons to the EU or Northern Ireland for immediate release for racing back to Great Britain. Establishment operators need a CPH number for each establishment.

You need a CPH number to register your establishment and complete the establishment operator’s declaration.

Registration is voluntary but without it you cannot apply for an export health certificate (EHC). You need an EHC to move birds to the EU or Northern Ireland.

It can take up to 6 weeks for your application to be processed in England. In Wales CPH numbers are usually issued within 24 hours.

If your establishment is in Scotland, read the guidance on how to register on the Scottish Government website.

Apply for a CPH number: establishments in England

To register you must complete and submit the racing pigeon establishment application for a county parish holding number form.

Before you start

You will need the following information to complete the application form:

  • your contact details
  • single business identifier (SBI) – if you do not have one you will be issued one during registration
  • business name
  • your correspondence address and postcode
  • address of establishments
  • whether you own or rent the establishments
  • the GPS coordinates for your establishments

You can locate the GPS coordinates, easting and northing, for your establishments using the Magic map and following these instructions:

  1. Click on ‘Get Started’.
  2. Using the search facility at the top left of the page, search on a county, place or postcode.
  3. Using the map, locate the location of your establishment. Use the +- icons to zoom in and out.
  4. Click on the ‘Where am I’ function on the toolbar and then click on the relevant field.
  5. A pop-up box will appear showing the land details for this location including the easting and northing co-ordinates.

As part of the registration process, you will be issued with a single business identifier (SBI), if you do not already have one, and a customer reference number (CRN). These are unique identifiers for you and your registration. You should use these when you contact the RPA.

How to submit the completed form

You should submit the completed form to the RPA using the ‘email form’ button at the end of the application form.

If you do not complete the form in full or correctly, this may result in a possible delay in issuing you a CPH number.

If you need help completing the form, contact the RPA using the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.

The RPA will confirm your registration and issue you a CPH number by email or letter.

Apply for a CPH number: establishments in Wales

Racing pigeon establishment operators in Wales need to register for a CPH number through Manage My CPH on RPW Online.

Once you have received your CPH number, you must contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) registration team and:

  • provide your CPH number
  • confirm racing pigeons are present at the establishment

Contact the APHA registration team:

Back to top