L 228/14 Official Journal of the European Union 3.9.2005 COMMISSION DECISION of 1 September 2005 concerning a financial contribution by the Community towards a baseline survey on the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in broiler flocks of Gallus gallus to be carried out in the Member States (notified under document number C(2005) 3276) (2005/636/EC) 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 20 thereof, Whereas: (1) Pursuant to Decision 90/424/EEC the Community is to undertake or assist the Member States in undertaking the technical and scientific measures necessary for the devel- opment of veterinary legislation and for the development of veterinary education or training. (2)  Under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 on the control of salmonella and other specified food-borne zoonotic agents (%), a Community target is to be established for reducing the prevalence of salmonella in populations of flocks of broilers of Gallus gallus (broilers) by the end of 2006. (3) In order to set the Community target, comparable data on the prevalence of salmonella in populations of broilers in the Member States needs to be available. Such information is not at hand and a special survey should therefore be carried out to monitor the prevalence of salmonella in broilers over a suitable period in order to take account of possible seasonal variations. (4)  The survey is to provide technical information necessary for the development of Community veterinary legislation. Given the importance of collecting comparable data on the prevalence of salmonella in broilers in the Member States, they should be granted a Community financial contribution for implementing the specific requirements () 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 325,12.12.2003, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1003/2005 (O] L 170, 1.7.2005, p. 12). of the survey. It is appropriate to reimburse 100 % of the costs incurred on the laboratory testing, subject to a ceiling. All other costs such as sampling, travel, admin- istration, etc. should not be eligible for any Community financial contribution. (5) A financial contribution from the Community should be granted provided that the survey is carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions of Community law and subject to compliance with certain other conditions. (6) A financial contribution from the Community should be granted in so far as the actions provided for are effec- tively carried out and provided that the authorities furnish all the necessary information within the time limits provided for. (7)  There is a need to clarify the rate to be used for the conversion of payment applications submitted in national currencies as defined in Article 1(d) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2799/98 of 15 December 1998 establishing agrimonetary arrangements for the euro (3). (8)  The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Objective of the survey and general provisions 1. A survey shall be carried out to assess the prevalence of Salmonella spp. across the Community in flocks of broilers of Gallus gallus (broilers) sampled within three weeks of leaving the selected holding for slaughter (the survey). 2. The results of the survey shall be used to set Community targets as provided for in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003. 3. The survey shall cover a one-year period commencing on 1 October 2005. 4. For the purposes of this Decision, ‘competent authority’ shall be the authority or authorities of a Member State as designated under Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003. () O] L 349, 24.12.1998, p. 1.