1. Operators and organisations marketing beef in the Community shall label it in accordance with this Article.
The compulsory labelling system shall ensure a link between, on the one hand, the identification of the carcass, quarter or pieces of meat and, on the other hand, the individual animal or, where this is sufficient to enable the accuracy of the information on the label to be checked, the group of animals concerned.
2. The label shall contain the following indications:
(a) a reference number or reference code ensuring the link between the meat and the animal or animals. This number may be the identification number of the individual animal from which the beef was derived or the identification number relating to a group of animals;
(b) the approval number of the slaughterhouse at which the animal or group of animals was slaughtered and the Member State or third country in which the slaughterhouse is established. The indication shall read: "Slaughtered in (name of the Member State or third country) (approval number)";
(c) the approval number of the cutting hall which performed the cutting operation on the carcass or group of carcases and the Member State or third country in which the hall is established. The indication shall read: "Cutting in: (name of the Member State or third country) (approval number)".
3. However, up until 31 December 2001, Member States where sufficient details are available in the identification and registration system for bovine animals, provided for in Title I, may decide that, for beef from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the same Member State, supplementary items of information must also be indicated on labels.
4. A compulsory system as provided for in paragraph 3 must not lead to any disruption of trade between the Member States.
The implementation arrangements applicable in those Member States intending to apply paragraph 3 shall require prior approval from the Commission.
5. (a) As from 1 January 2002, operators and organisations shall also indicate on the labels:
(i) Member State or third country of birth;
(ii) all Member States or third countries where fattening took place;
(iii) Member State or third country where slaughter took place;
(b) However, where the beef is derived from animals born, raised and slaughtered:
(i) in the same Member State, the indication may be given as "Origin: (name of Member State)";
(ii) in the same third country, the indication may be given as "Origin: (name of third country)".