2005/197/EC: Commission Decision of 9 March 2005 approving the 2005 technical action plan for improving agricultural statistics (notified under document number C(2005) 531)
Date: 2005-03-09
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU statistics, Eurostat, agricultural holding, agricultural statistics, smallholding

L 65/30

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Official Journal of the European Union

11.3.2005

COMMISSION

COMMISSION DECISION

of 9 March 2005

approving the 2005 technical action plan for improving agricultural statistics

(notified under document number C(2005) 531)

(2005/197/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Decision 96/411/EC of 25 June 1996
statistics (1), and in
on improving Community agricultural
particular Article 4(1) and Article 6(2) thereof,

previous action plans. This time the farm statistical
registers, which are a prerequisite for all farm surveys
and a real difficulty in most of the Member States, are
the main area of the annual action plan.

(5)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in line
with the opinion of the Standing Committee of Agri-
cultural Statistics,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

In accordance with Decision 96/411/EC, the Commission
establishes
agricultural
statistics each year.

action plan for

technical

a

In accordance with Decision 96/411/EC, the Community
contributes to the costs incurred by the Member States in
making adaptations to national agricultural statistical
systems or the costs of preparatory work for new or
increasing needs which are part of a technical action
plan.

It is essential to improve information on the structure of
agricultural holdings
the
related Community policies.

the implementation of

for

There is a need to consolidate the agricultural statistical
system and to continue the work supported by the

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The 2005 technical action plan for
improving agricultural
statistics (TAPAS 2005), as set out in the Annex, is approved.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 9 March 2005.

For the Commission

Joaquín ALMUNIA
Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 162, 1.7.1996, p. 14. Decision as last amended by Decision No
the Council

the European Parliament and of

787/2004/EC of
(OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 12).

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Official Journal of the European Union

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ANNEX

2005 TECHNICAL ACTION PLAN FOR IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS

(TAPAS 2005)

The measures covered by the 2005 technical action plan for improving agricultural statistics aim to develop or improve
statistics in the following areas:

(a)

farm statistical registers,

(b) surveys on small farms (small units surveys).

The Commission will make a financial contribution to projects developed as part of these measures which will not exceed
the amounts shown in Table A for each Member State.

The measures proposed by the Member States concern:

1. Farm statistical registers

The availability of an up to date register of agricultural holdings is a basis for a coherent and integrated system of
agricultural statistics and also, if coordinated with national business registers, a tool contributing to the integration of
agricultural information with that of other sectors.

A valid register provides a basic framework for sampling. If it is complete and includes appropriate information, it may
permit effective sample design with, for example, stratification by size, type of activity and location. It could even call into
question the cost-effectiveness of full agricultural censuses. Registers also provide useful information for the demography
of agricultural holdings.

A harmonised register would also open the door to EU sampling and surveys providing reliable estimates at EU level and
substantially reducing the burden on respondents.

2. Small units surveys
‘Small units’ are important, in terms of numbers and share in agricultural production, especially in the new Member
States. In some of these countries, small units are not always adequately covered in the agricultural surveys, and this
might thus lead to the exclusion of a large number of units engaged in the production of agricultural goods.

In the framework of the TAPAS 2005 actions on small units, Eurostat expects contributions, inter alia, on the following
questions:

What should be the definition of small units?

What should be the minimum threshold for the inclusion of such units in the Farm Statistical Registers?

To what extent should small units included in such registers be covered (in terms of frequency, characteristics)?

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Official Journal of the European Union

11.3.2005

Table A

TECHNICAL ACTION PLAN 2005

EU-25

M a x i m u m f i n a n c i a l c o n t r i b u t i o n o f

t h e C o m m u n i t y t o e x p e n d i t u r e i n c u r r e d

Countries

Farm register

Small units

CZ

DE

EE

IT

CY

LV

LT

HU

AT

PL

PT

SI

SK

UK

60 000

243 000

53 856

311 440

42 000

64 069

446 639

45 000

175 844

54 000

187 000

18 083

9 000

29 700

113 400

45 000

(thousand EUR)

Total

60 000

243 000

53 856

311 440

42 000

82 152

9 000

29 700

446 639

45 000

175 844

113 400

99 000

187 000

Total

1 682 849

215 183

1 898 032