30.1.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 27/5 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 156/2004 of 29 January 2004 on the Community's financial assistance to the Community reference laboratories pursuant to Article 28 of Decision 90/424/EEC THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field (), and in particular Article 28(2) thereof, Whereas: (1)  The eligibility criteria for the expenditure of the Com- munity reference laboratories receiving financial assis- tance pursuant to Article 28 of Decision 90/424/EEC and the procedures for the submission of expenditure and the conduct of audits were set out in Commission Regulation (EC) No 324/2003 (). (2)  Community reference laboratories (laboratories) carry out duties and requirements laid down in Community veterinary legislation in order to assist the Community (3)  The level of the annual Community financial assistance (financial assistance) for the operation of certain labora- tories is decided upon each year by specific decisions in the field of veterinary public health, animal health and residues. (4)  The costs related to missions carried out by staff of the laboratories has currently to be financed by the labora- tories from the beneficiary's overheads up to 7 % of total eligible costs for the action. (5) Since those missions account for a growing proportion of the beneficiary's overheads and since certain mission expenses may be covered on the basis of a standard rate per day, a separate chapter should be created within the annual eligible expenditure of each laboratory. (6)  The costs and benefits of the workshops being consid- ered, it is appropriate to restrict the number of eligible participants in workshops, of which only one should be invited per Member State. Derogations from that rule should be decided in duly justified cases and within the financial assistance granted for the organisation of the workshop. (") OJ L 224,18.8.1990, p. 19. Decision as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003 (O] L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1). () OJ L 47, 21.2.2003, p. 14. (7)  There is a need to clarify the rate to be used for the conversion of the payment applications submitted in national currency as defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 2799/98 establishing agrimonetary arrangements for the euro (%). (8)  Rules should be laid down to harmonise the presentation of the provisional budget for laboratory expenditure in respect of activities carried out pursuant to Community veterinary legislation. (9)  Since a number of changes are to be made to Regulation (EC) No 324/2003, that Regulation should be replaced in the interest of clarity. (10) A sound financial management justifies the application of the eligibility rules from the beginning of 2004 for the establishment of the eligible expenditures incurred during that year. (11) For financial control purposes, Articles 8 and 9 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the financing of the common agricultural policy are applicable (¥). (12)  The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Atrticle 1 Provisional budget The Community reference laboratories (laboratories) shall present before 1 October of each calendar year ‘n’ the provi- sional budget for laboratory expenditure in respect of Com- munity activities for the calendar year ‘n+1". The laboratories shall provide the provisional budget in compu- terised form in accordance with Annex L. () OJ L 349, 24.12.1998, p. 1. () OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 103.