Ear tags shall contain the name, the code or the logo of the competent authority which allocated the ear tags, and the characters provided for in paragraph 2.

In addition to the information provided for in paragraph 1, a bar code may be authorised by the competent authority.

By derogation to the limitation of the number of characters laid down in paragraph 2(b) the competent authority of Italy may use a maximum of three supplementary characters after the sequence of characters provided for in that paragraph. However, those characters shall not form part of the identification code in paragraph 2.

Keepers shall be authorised to acquire in advance, if they so wish and in compliance with the applicable national provisions, a quantity of ear tags proportionate to their needs for a period not exceeding one year. In the case of holdings which keep no more than five animals, the competent authority may not provide in advance more than five pairs of eartags.

In case of an ear tag loss, the replacement ear tags may contain, in addition to the information provided for and distinct from it, a mark expressing in Roman numerals the version number of the replacement ear tag. In such an event, the identification code provided for in paragraph 2 shall remain unchanged. Replacement ear tags used F2... for animals born in F3a Member State shall bear at least the same identification code in addition to the code or the logo of the competent authority issuing it.