Do I need to register?

See below for information on the requirements to register for:

• Registering as a Livestock Keeper 
• Mixing Animal Feeds
• Keeping Poultry
• Horse Passports  

Registering as a livestock keeper

If you keep cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs, you must register with the Rural Payments Agency to obtain a County Parish Holding number (CPH) for the land where the livestock will be kept.  This is the case, even if you keep only one or two animals as pets.  Their contact details are -

Customer Services, RPA, PO Box 1058, Newcastle upon Tyne NE99 7YQ

Tel: 0845 603 7777    Email: customer.service.centre@rpa.gsi.gov.uk 

The Feed Hygiene Regulations came into effect in January 2006.  They apply to businesses that manufacture, use or market animal feeds;  this includes most livestock farms and arable farms that grow, use or sell crops for feed use.

These regulations replace existing legislation on approval and registration under the Feeding Stuffs (Establishment and Intermediaries) Regulations 1999 which apply to farmers that mix feeds containing additives.

Farmers, as primary producers, will have to follow basic hygiene procedures in relation to the feed they use or grow, and ensure that hazards are properly controlled.   

Many of these conditions will already be observed by farmers, and to a large extent reflect the conditions that currently have to be adhered to.

If you know you need to register to mix feed on your premises, please contact our Cockermouth office at:-

Trading Standards, Fairfield, Station Road, Cockermouth  CA13 9PZ

Tel: 01900 706072  Fax:  01900 706195  Email:  trading.standards@cumbria.gov.uk

If you have any queries about mixing feeds on farms, please contact your local Trading Standards office and ask to speak to an Animal Health Officer.

Keeping Poultry

A commercial poultry premises with 50 or more birds, even if the premises is only stocked with 50 or more birds for part of the year, must be registered.  Other premises may be registered on a voluntary basis.

Horse Passports

Owners must have a passport for each horse.  'Horse' includes horses, ponies, donkeys, mules or cross-breeds of these species.