WRITTEN QUESTION P-2713/02 by Seán Ó Neachtain (UEN) to the Commission. Collection of agricultural statistics.
Date: 2002-09-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: administrative formalities, agricultural statistics, common agricultural policy, data collection, simplification of formalities

6.2.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28 E/249

If such a case reveals a shortcoming in a harmonised standard, this should be drawn to the attention of the
relevant national and European standardisation bodies. If necessary, the national authorities shall bring the
matter before the Technical Standards and Regulations Committee (2), following the procedure laid down in
Article 6(1) of the Machinery Directive. The Commission will then decide whether to withdraw the
references of
Journal and mandate the standardisation
organisation to amend the standard as necessary.

the standard concerned from the Official

When they ascertain that a machine is liable to endanger the health or safety of persons and a voluntary
solution is not found, the national authorities can decide to order withdrawal of the unsafe machinery
from the market, following the safeguard procedure laid down in Article 7 of the Machinery Directive. The
Member State must inform the Commission of any such measure, indicating whether the non-conformity
results from failure to satisfy the essential health and safety requirements, from incorrect application of a
harmonised standard or from shortcomings in the standard itself.

After consulting interested parties, the Commission decides whether the measure taken by the national
authorities is justified.
If a harmonised standard proves deficient, the references of the standard are
withdrawn from the Official Journal and a mandate is given to the relevant European standardisation body
to amend the standard as necessary.

The possibility of redress open to a company that has purchased machinery subject to such a safeguard
measure depends on the legal provisions in force in the Member State concerned.

(1) Directive 98/37/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 on the approximation of the laws of the

Member States relating to machinery, OJ L 207, 23.7.1998.

(2) Set up under Articles 5 and 6 of Directive 98/34/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 laying
down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations, OJ L 204,
21.7.1998.

(2003/C 28 E/281)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2713/02

by Seán Ó Neachtain (UEN) to the Commission

(20 September 2002)

Subject: Collection of agricultural statistics

Would the Commission outline what measures it is taking to simplify the procedures for the collection of
agricultural statistics so as to reduce the amount of paperwork and administration which farmers are
obliged to carry out in order to comply with the requirements of the various schemes under the Common
Agricultural Policy: what efforts are being made to avoid duplication of effort through using existing
databases, making systems compatible and sharing information between administrations?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(14 October 2002)

A distinction should be made between information collected for statistical purposes and that collected for
administrative management of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Nevertheless,
it is clear for the
Commission that the use of administrative information for statistical purposes is not only possible but
even desirable in order to avoid duplications and reduce the burden for the farmers. However, there are
frequently limitations to what can be achieved due to practical and legal constraints. Work to overcome
these limitations is a continuing preoccupation as is the study of successful experiences in some Member
States and elsewhere.

As far as the statistical aspects are concerned, the Commission takes full account of the requirement
imposed on it by Article 285 of the EC Treaty that the production of statistics ‘… shall not entail excessive
burdens on economic operators.’ In particular, as far as the Farm Structure Surveys are concerned, it has
taken steps to authorise Member States to use information from sources other than statistical surveys. The
TAPAS (1) programme has supported Member States in initiatives to improve the efficiency of Community
agricultural statistics while the LUCAS (2) project seeks to provide reliable statistics at Community level
from a reduced and less intrusive sampling design.

C 28 E/250

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

The Commission reviews continually the information transmitted by the national authorities for the
purposes of statistics and for administrative management of the CAP. One of the objectives of this review
is to reduce the burdens for both the Member States and the economic operators from whom data are
collected.

As part of the simplification programme this review is examining whether data transmitted continue to be
necessary for management purposes and, if so, whether they may be available through other sources. It has
already achieved positive results in a number of sectors where it has been possible to identify and
eliminate duplication and collection of data which are no longer required. It should, however, be pointed
out that in the majority of cases data transmitted are shown to be necessary for management purposes and
that the instances of duplication are considerably fewer than is often suggested.

(1) Technical Action Plans for Agricultural Statistics.
(2) Land Use/Cover Area frame Sampling.

(2003/C 28 E/282)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2951/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(14 October 2002)

Subject: Allocation of structural funds

Would the Commission please give details of the allocation by each local authority in Galicia (Spain) of the
monies invested by the structural funds over the 1994-1999 programming period?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2002)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.