L 101/18 Official Journal of the European Union 21.4.2009 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 20 April 2009 on the financial contribution of the Community for the year 2009 for the computerisation of veterinary procedures, the system of notification of animal diseases, communication measures and studies and evaluations and on a direct grant to the OIE based on Article 168(1)(c) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 23422002 (2009/333/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 Articles 17, 20, 37(2) and 37a(2) thereof, Whereas: (1)  Decision 90[424[EEC lays down the procedures governing the Community’s financial contribution towards specific veterinary measures, in particular as regards the information policy for animal health, animal welfare and food safety, technical and scientific measures and control. Pursuant to Article 16 of Decision 90/424[EEC, the Community shall make a financial contribution to the establishment of an information policy in the field of animal health, animal welfare and food safety in products of animal origin, including the performance of studies necessary for the preparation and development of legislation in the field of animal welfare. It is therefore appropriate for the Community to fund for the year 2009, studies, impact assessments, evaluations, and information policy covering the areas of food safety, animal health and welfare and zootechnics. The maximum amount to be allocated to these actions should be specified. () OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19. 4) () COM(2006) 13 final. () COM(2007) 539 final. A feasibility study concerning the general revision of the Community farm animal welfare legislation and the inte- gration of farm animal welfare indicators in the legis- lation should be performed. Furthermore, an impact assessment study concerning the animal welfare at transport and slaughter of farmed fish should be conducted. These studies will support the actions iden- tified in the Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010. The Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010 (%) in particular foresees an evaluation of the progress as well as follow-up programming beyond 2010. There is therefore a need for a global evaluation of the Community policy on animal welfare before 2010. The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on a new Animal Health Strategy for the European Union (2007-2013) where ‘Prevention is better than cure’ (%) foresees the development of an EU Animal Health General Law and a harmonised EU framework of the criteria for responsibility and cost sharing schemes. Therefore, a study to support the Impact Assessment of the Animal Health General Law and a feasibility study for the revision of Decision 90/424/EEC should be conducted.