Article 1

Regulation (EC) No 21/2004 is hereby amended as follows:

1. 1..

   the first subparagraph of Article 9(3) shall be replaced by the following:

   ‘3.

   As from 31 December 2009, electronic identification according to the guidelines referred to in paragraph 1, and in accordance with the relevant provisions of Section A of the Annex, shall be obligatory for all animals.’;

2. 2..

   Article 9(4) shall be replaced by the following:

   ‘4.

   Before 31 December 2009, Member States may introduce the obligatory use of electronic identification for animals born on their territory.’