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.

1.   Sampling for the purpose of the survey shall be organised by the Member States and shall be performed from 1 October 2005 on holdings containing at least 5 000 birds. On each selected holding, one flock with broilers of the appropriate age shall be sampled.

However, in countries where the calculated number of flocks to be sampled is higher than the number of holdings available with at least 5 000 birds, in order to achieve the calculated number of flocks, up to four flocks may be sampled on the same holding. Where possible the additional flocks from a single holding shall be from different broiler houses and samples taken in different seasons.

If the number of flocks to be sampled is still not sufficient, progressively smaller holdings may also be selected until at least 154 flocks, where possible, is attained.

If the number of flocks to be sampled is still not sufficient, more than four flocks may be sampled on the same holding, larger holdings being focused on.

For countries where fewer than 80 % of the birds are kept on holdings with more than 5 000 broiler chickens, progressively smaller holdings may initially be selected.

2.   Sampling shall be performed by the competent authority or under its supervision.

1.   Detection of Salmonella spp. and serotyping of the relevant isolates shall take place in national reference laboratories for salmonella.

However, where a national reference laboratory does not have the capacity to perform all the analyses or if it is not the laboratory that performs detection routinely, the competent authorities may designate a limited number of other laboratories involved in official controls of salmonella to perform the analyses.

Those laboratories shall have proven experience in using the required detection method, shall implement a quality-assurance system complying with ISO standard 17025, and shall be supervised by the national reference laboratory.

2.   The detection of Salmonella spp. shall be performed in accordance with the method recommended by the Community reference laboratory for salmonella.

3.   Serotyping of the relevant isolates shall be performed according to the Kaufmann-White scheme.

1.   The national authority responsible for preparing the yearly national report pursuant to Article 9(1) of Directive 2003/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) shall collect and assess the results achieved pursuant to Article 3 of this Decision on the basis of the sampling frame referred to in Article 2 thereof, and shall report all necessary data and its assessment to the Commission.

2.   The relevant data collected for the purposes of the survey shall be supplied by Member States to the European Food Safety Authority, at the request of the Commission.

3.   National aggregated data and results shall be made available publicly in a form that ensures confidentiality.

1.   The Community shall provide a financial contribution for the costs incurred by the Member States on laboratory testing, i.e. bacteriological detection of Salmonella spp. and serotyping of the relevant isolates.

2.   The maximum financial contribution from the Community shall be EUR 20 per test for bacteriological detection of Salmonella spp. and EUR 30 for serotyping of the relevant isolates.

3.   The financial contribution from the Community shall not exceed the amounts set out in Annex I for the duration of the survey.

1.   The financial contribution provided for in Article 6 shall be granted to the Member States provided that the survey is implemented in accordance with the relevant provisions of Community law, including the rules on competition and on the award of public contracts, and subject to compliance with the following conditions:

2.   An advance of 50 % of the total amount referred to in Annex I may be paid at the request of the Member State concerned.

3.   Failure to comply with the time limit in paragraph 1(c) shall entail a progressive reduction of the financial contribution to be paid, amounting to 25 % of the total amount by 15 November 2006, 50 % by 1 December 2006 and 100 % by 15 December 2006.