1.Sampling for the purpose of carrying out the study shall be organised by the Member States and shall be performed from 1 October 2004 in holdings containing at least 1000 laying hens. Where appropriate, smaller holdings shall also be sampled according to the technical specifications referred to in Article 5, focusing preferably on holdings with more than 350 hens.
2.In each selected holding, one flock with hens of the appropriate age shall be sampled.
3.Sampling shall be performed by the competent authority or under its supervision, by bodies to which it has delegated this responsibility.
4.At least 172 holdings shall be sampled in each Member State. However, in Member States where fewer than 172 holdings exist all holdings shall be sampled. In all cases, priority shall be given to the sampling of holdings with more than 1000 hens.