Configuration of the identification code for bovine animals
Article 2
The identification code for bovine animals shall be displayed on the means of identification as follows: (a) the first element of the identification code must be the country code of the Member State where the means of identification was first applied, in the form of either the two-letter alpha code or the three-digit numeric code as listed in the Annex; (b) the second element of the identification code must be a numeric individual animal code not exceeding 12 digits; however, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom may maintain their system of an alphanumeric code for the 12 digits following the country code in respect of animals born until 31 December 1999 for Ireland, Spain, Italy and Portugal and for the United Kingdom in respect of animals born until 30 June 2000.