Agricultural and Horticultural Census
Posted: Sunday 22 June, 2008
If you register as an agricultural holding, which you must do if you are going to keep livestock (pigs, sheep, cattle) or claim rural payments, you will get a CPH number (County Parish Holding). As well as allowing you to keep the aforementioned livestock and claim the dosh, it also presents you with the opportunity to contribute to the annual Agricultural and Horticultural Census.
Actually, under the 1947 Agriculture Act, you must complete and return the census form. Failure to do so may result in a fine of up to £1,000. Penalties are also prescribed for "knowingly or recklessly furnishing false information". You can bet ours was completed in time, with no false information, furnished knowingly or recklessly!
For us, it's not complicated, but for others it might be a bit of a trial. The most interesting part of the form is the extract of the census returns for one, five and ten years ago - in summary, fewer cattle and pigs; many fewer sheep and lambs (nearly 2.5 million over 10 years); static poultry number; less barley and oats and more wheat.
