Customer Registration - Frequently Asked Questions (Published 27 October 2009)
When / under what circumstances do I need a County/Parish/Holding (CPH) number?
Regardless of whether you claim any subsidy payments or not, CPH numbers are used to identify agricultural holding(s) and any premises where cattle, sheep, goats and pigs are kept. You need a CPH number when you submit grant and subsidy applications and to report livestock movements between locations.
How do I apply for a CPH number for land in England?
- Ring the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777.
- Choose the Customer Registration option.
- Choose the next option based on the type of registration you require.
Explain to the Customer Service Centre operator why you need a CPH number. They will check to see if we already have your details. If we do not, they will ask you for some information to check whether or not you need a CPH number and what type of CPH number you require. We will write to you when this has happened and tell you what the CPH number is. If you need the number urgently for moving animals we will ring you to let you know the number as well as sending you a letter.
What information do you need when I apply for a CPH number?
When you ring the Customer Service Centre we will ask you for:
- SBI (if you are already registered with us)
- Organisation Name
- Land Location - Postcode or OS Grid Reference(s)
- Tenure (e.g. owner, owner/occupier, tenant 365 days or more and tenant 364 days or less)
- Activities (e.g. cattle keeper)
- Contact Details
We will also ask you to give any other information you think is relevant and which may affect the CPH allocation.
Do I need / can I have a CPH number for horses?
You don’t need a CPH number specifically for horses but, if you are a horse owner who wishes to claim the Single Payment Scheme you do need a CPH number. If you want to register a horse then you need to contact the relevant breed society.
What is the 5/10 mile rule for CPH allocations?
The five mile rule applies to all sheep and goat keepers and simply means all land within a five mile radius of the main Place of Business is covered by one holding number, it doesn’t need a separate CPH number. The five mile distance is measured as a straight line from the main site and any outlying land that is within five miles of the main site (either fully or partially) is all considered to be the main holding. Only land outside this boundary needs a separate CPH number.
The ten mile rule applies to all livestock keepers, excluding sheep and goat keepers. The ten mile rule works the same way as the five mile rule.
Animal Health / trading standards / BCMS say that I need an additional CPH for temporary grazing, but the 5/10 mile rule suggests I don’t, so what do I do?
If you claim SPS and have extra bits of land you use for temporary grass keep that would fall within the 5/10 mile rule, then you will need a temporary CPH number. This is for cross compliance purposes.
We would assign you a CPH number from the 7000 series to cover this temporary grazing.
I keep animals on someone else’s land, do I need my own CPH?
Yes you do, if you are responsible for the animals. The CPH will link your record to the animals and the land area.
When / under what circumstances do I need a Single Business Identifier (SBI)?
Every business that registers with RPA is allocated a Single Business Identifier (SBI). This is a unique reference number that identifies your business. You need to register your business with RPA if you are claiming a grant or subsidy from RPA, Natural England, Forestry Commission or any Regional Development Agency. You also need to register to obtain a County Parish Holding (CPH) number to identify agricultural holdings and any premises where cattle, sheep, goats or pigs are kept.
Why am I referred to as a business, I only want to keep a micro-pig?
Although you may not consider yourself a business, this is a term we use for anyone that registers with the RPA. You must register with the RPA to claim subsidies, grants or other scheme specific aid. This may also include obtaining a County Parish Holding (CPH) number for legal animal health reasons as required by DEFRA. Your business name can be in the form of your name or your farm/trade name whichever is most memorable or suitable to you.
What are controlled details?
Controlled details are those that may be commercially sensitive and can only be changed by people who are legally empowered for the business. They are:
- the name of your business
- the legal status of your business
- removing the legal empowerment of people within the business; and
- payment details
Some of these details can be changed over the phone after answering security questions, or can be changed by using a form called “Amendment of controlled details” (CReg 10).
How do I change our business name and/or legal status of our business?
Please telephone our Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777, and choose the ‘Customer Registration’ option. We will take the details over the phone but may need to contact you if we require any further information. For example, if you are claiming from farm-based schemes (i.e. SPS, RDPE schemes) we may need to send you IACS 26/27 forms for completion. These forms will help us to assess whether, following the changes, your business can be deemed as a new or continuing business.
How do I remove legal empowerment from a person within the business?
You can remove empowerment over the phone by calling the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777 and choosing the ‘Customer Registration’ option, providing that you have a higher level of empowerment than the person who you are removing, You can also give us the details using a “Amendment of controlled details” form (CReg 10). All legally empowered people for the business will need to sign this form. You can request this form from the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777 choosing the ‘Customer Registration’ option or you can download it from our website - click here.
How do I change my bank details?
If you are legally empowered for the business you can change your bank details over the phone or by using the “Amendment of controlled details” form (CReg 10).
To change your bank details over the phone please contact the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777, and choose the ‘Customer Registration’ option. We will ask you security questions before we change any details.
If you want to change your bank details by form, you can request one by contacting the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777 and choosing the ‘Customer Registration’ option. Or you can download the CReg 10 from our website - click here.
How do I set my security details?
When you are registered as an empowered contact for a business you will be sent a letter. The letter will give you your Personal Identifier (PI) number. We use your Personal Identifier, along with the security details you set with us and the empowerment levels you hold, to keep business and personal information secure. To set your security details, please telephone our Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777, and choose the ‘Customer Registration’ option.
We will ask you for a date, a location and an event that is easy to remember, and only you will know the answer to.
I can not find the Personal Identifier (PI) letter you sent me. I need to set my security details how can I find out my PI number?
Please telephone our Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777, and choose the ‘Customer Registration’ option. The call operator will be able to send you out another letter advising you of your PI number.
How do I change my address details?
When you want to change any details we hold about you, please phone the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777, and choose the ‘Customer Registration’ option . Providing that you have the correct level of empowerment and pass the security questions you will be able to make these amendments over the phone.
How do I notify you of a death of business owner / partner?
Please phone the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777, and choose the ‘Customer Registration’ option. The call handler will take your information and a member of the Probate team will contact you directly. You can also notify us of a death by writing into the Probate Team at Rural Payments Agency, PO Box 1058, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE99 4YQ.
How do I change my SPS payment from pounds to Euros or Euros to pounds?
As with other changes to the SPS Application Form, you can ask to make a change in writing to change currency up to and including the last date for applications (9 June for SPS 2009). Penalties will apply for some changes made after a certain date, 31 May normally. If new bank details are required for example, a UK based Euro bank account, then these details can be given to us over the phone by a legally empowered person. You can also give us the details on an “Amendment of controlled details form” (Creg 10) signed by all legally empowered people for the business. To give us bank details or request a form please telephone our Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777, and choose the ‘Customer Registration’ option. The CReg 10 form is also available to download from our website - click here.
For schemes other than SPS: How do I change my payment from pounds to Euros or Euros to pounds?
You can ask to change currency either in writing, or via a CReg01 form (if one has never been completed for the business) or via a CReg10 Amendment form (if a CReg01 has previously been submitted). In all cases the letter or form must be signed by all legally empowered people for the business. Please note, under EU regulations, we can only change currency of payments after a waiting period of three months. You will then be “locked in” to receiving payments for that scheme, in that currency, for twelve months. You will also need to contact the relevant scheme contact to inform them that you are changing currency. If new bank details are needed then these details can be given to us over the phone by a legally empowered person. Or the details can also be given on an “Amendment of controlled details form” (Creg 10) signed by all legally empowered people for the business. To give us bank details or request a form please telephone our Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777, and choose the ‘Customer Registration’ option. The CReg 10 form is also available to download from our website - click here.
I submitted an IACS26/27 form and have not heard anything, how long does this process take?
There is no specific timescale as each IACS26/27 is individually processed, but typically, because of the complex nature of what is involved, it can take several months to resolve.
How do I empower someone to act on my behalf?
This can be done over the phone if the person making the request has legal or full empowerment. Please telephone our Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777, and choose the ‘Customer Registration’ option. Please note the empowerment of the person making the request must be higher than the empowerment of the person who is being added. To add a legally empowered person to the business the person making the request must be legally empowered.
There are also three forms you can use to empower someone to act on your behalf. The form you need to complete will depend on what kind of empowerment you want to give the person as well as what forms you have completed before.
CReg 01 Customer Registration Form – You can complete a CReg 01 form if your business has never completed one before. This will allow you to tell us about all the people responsible for your business (e.g. directors, partners) and the people you wish to represent your business (e.g. agents).
CReg 10 Amendment Form – Only complete this form if you have completed a CReg 01 in the past and now wish to add someone new to your business. However, if the person is only to have scheme empowerment for the Single Payment Scheme please use the SP9 Form.
SP9 Agent Authorisation Form – Use this form to tell us about the people you want to represent your business for the Single Payment Scheme only. You can complete this form even if you have never completed a CReg 01.
What is the main or primary contact for?
The main or primary contact is who we will contact regarding all aspects of your business, and all business correspondence will be sent to this address. You also have the option to appoint someone other than the main contact to act on behalf of your business for SPS purposes only.
What are the different levels of empowerments?
We ask you who you want to be able to access the information we hold about your business, and who you want to empower (authorise) to act on behalf of your business.
Depending on the level of empowerment, empowered people may:
- make decisions for the business;
- change the details held about the business on the Customer Register;
- sign forms on behalf of the business; or
- just be able to access the details held.
The different levels of empowerment are:
Legally empowered: This allows a person to have access to and amend all details held for the business on the Customer Register. This includes payment and financial information. This is the only empowerment that allows a person to change controlled details for a business.
Legal empowerment also allows a person to act on behalf of the business for SPS. RPA will accept any claim applications (including any subsequent amendments or withdrawals) and associated undertakings made by a legally empowered person as being on behalf of the business, where the scheme rules permit it.
Fully empowered: This allows a person to access all information held for the business on the Customer Register. They can also change information for the business but can not change controlled details.
Full empowerment also allows a person to act on behalf of the business for SPS. RPA will accept any claim applications (including any subsequent amendments or withdrawals) and associated undertakings made by a fully empowered person as being on behalf of the business, where the scheme rules permit it.
Partial Empowerment: This allows a person to access all information held for the business on the Customer Register. But they will not be able to make any amendments to information held for the business.
Scheme Empowerment: There are also empowerment levels available for those people who represent the business for the Single Payment Scheme. These are:
- View SPS: This allows a person to access SPS claim information but they can not change any information.
- View and amend SPS: This allows a person to submit and access the SPS claim. They can also provide information relating to the scheme, including changing or withdrawing information where scheme rules permit it. They can also view financial details related to a claim.
- View and amend SPS claims and receive all SPS Mail: This allows a person to submit and access the SPS claim information and view financial details for the claim. They can provide information relating to the scheme including changing or withdrawing information where the scheme rules permit it. They will also receive all SPS related correspondence including entitlement information. Only one person per business can have this level of empowerment.
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