CELEX: 51980PC0445
Language: en
Date: 1980-07-25
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the restructuring of the system of agricultural surveys in Italy (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

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DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (80) 445
Vol. 1980/0156
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 ---pagebreak---    COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                       COM(80)445 final
                                                       Brussels , 25 July 1980
                                Proposal for a
                               COUNCIL DECISION
               on the restructuring of the system of agricultural
                             surveys in Italy
                  ( submitted to the Council by the Commission )
                          k'""   ''àsUtc.Li ■'■"<' £/■
C0M(80 ) 445 final
( only the Italian text is authentic )
 ---pagebreak--- Explanatory mémorandum
As has begn done ,  specially for Italy , in the field of the extension services ,
the Commission is submitting to the Council a proposal for a Regulation aiming
to      restructure       the agricultural survey system in Italy .
The new system is "based on the creation , at regional or even lower levelf of a
permanent "body of interviewers to collect data at farm level . It will ensure a
better integration of Italian agricultural statistics into the European system .
Some advantages are to be gained in the area of farm structure statistics , but the
new system will be particularly useful for the formulation of agricultural
structure policy with particular reference to the Mediterranean area .
 ---pagebreak---                                        COUNCIL DECISION
                              on the restructuring of the system of
                              agricultural surveys in Italy
  THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ,
  and in particular Article 43 thereof ,
  Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ( l ),
  Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (-2),
  Whereas it is necessary , for effective and balanced implementation of the
  common agricultural policy, in Italy , especially in the Mezzogiorno regions ,
  to have statistical information of satisfactory scope and reliability on
  agricultural holdings in Italy and on the production , processing and marketing
  of agricultural products ;               '                "                       1 .
 Whereas the system of agricultural surveys traditionally carried out in Italy
  on territorial units and partially on economic units has hitherto satisfied
  Community requirements on a number of censuses in a scjmewhat ad hoc manner as
                                                   inter alia a
  regards both execution and finane ing /•and wherea"s7re structuring of the information
  collecting system                   is highly desirable in order to provide a more
  solid basis for the statistical information to be provided ; whereas the system
could at the same time be brought into line with those in other Member States , thus '
  improving comparability within the Community ;
 Whereas , because of economic and budgetary constraints , the Italian Republic does-
  not have sufficient means to make the considerable effort involved in establishing
  a statistical system comparable to those already highly developed in the other
 Member States ;
 Whereas an effective system for recording agricultural statistics in Italy will
 be in the interest of the Community and will contribute to the attainment of the
  objectives defined in Article 39 ( l ) ( a) of the Treaty, including the structural
  changes necessary for the proper functioning of the common market ;-
  (D
  ( 2)
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 2 -
  Whereas a Community contribution to the financing of the measures to be taken
  will be made ;                                            '     .
  Whereas the terms should be defined on which the Community will help to finance
  the planning and operation of a statistical programme in the Member State concerned ;
  whereas,' while the Italian Republic should retain responsibility .for such
  planning, account being taken of existing administrative structures , certain
  conditions should be laid down to guarantee optimfum utilization of the Community 's
' financial contribution ;
  Whereas the Community must be able to check that the measures taken by the
  Italian Republic will help to attain the objectives of the joint action an'd will
  fulfil   the conditions under which the Community financing is granted ;   .
  Whereas a procedure should be laid down whereby the Member States and the Commission
  will cooperate closely in the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics , .
                                  *
   HAS ADOPTED : THIS DECISION :
                                 Article 1
  In order to organize in Italy a system of statistical surveys on agricultural
  matters which will fully satisfy Community requirements for - statistical
   information in this field , the Italian government shall ensure :
   a) the gradual introduction of a coherent programme of statistical surveys
      conducted on the basis of samples at agricultural holdings level by interviewers
      trained for this purpose ;
  b ) the strengthening or creation of a regional technical' and administrative
      infrastructure to ensure that the required surveys are carried out and that the
      data are forwarded to the Istituto Centrale di Statistica ( ISTAT ).
                                  Artide 2
  The Italian Republic shall ensure that the organization of the system of
   statistical surveys referred to in Article 1 guarantees the completion of the
  surveys required or likely to be required at Community level and that these
  surveys fulfil the requirements of Community law as regards
   the field and purpose of the surveys , and the reliability and time limits
   prescribed , without obtaining, other than the contribution provided for in this
  Regulation , any further financial aid from the Community, except in cases where
  Community contributions are alao provided for the other Member States .
 ---pagebreak---                                              - 3 -
                                           Article 3
1 . The organization of the system of surveys referred, to in Article 1 shall commence
       in 1981 , and "be followed by the introduction of the programme of surveys starting
       in 1984 based on the results obtained in the survey on -the structure of agricultural
       holdings carried out under Council Regulation ( CEE ) n . 218/78
      The timetable for the organization of the new system and the introduction of the
       programme of surveys shall be as follows :
       a) 1982      :  Sample surveys - to be held in two or three regions . This will provide
            an opportunity to test the methods used by the technical staff dependent on the
            "Assessorati     dell ' agricoltura e delle foreste" / trained for this purpose .
    , b) 1933 : New questionnaires and sample survey methods will be
            tested in two or three regions and it will be possible to draw up a series of
            options on the basis of the results of the survey on the structure of agricultural
                                                                                         holdings .
       c ) 1984s The experimental surveys       will be extended to other regions .
                                                                               *
       d) 1985s First experimental application at national level of the new system of
            surveys with the new organization .
       e ) 1986-87 : Introduction of the new system to the whole territory of the Italian
           Republic ( 1986 ). In 1987 > with the Commission 's assistance , it will be possible
            to determine which , if any , definitive methodological improvements are required .
2 . The Italian Republic shall be entitled to submit amendments to the programme
      referred to in paragraph 1
                                          Article 4
      1 . Every year from 1981 to 1986 , the Italian                                     •;
           Republic shall submit        an annual programme of measures to implement" the
            programme defined in Article 1 . This programme shall contain information on :
            a) all the surveys to be carried out in/following year , specifying the field of
                observation , the sampling plan , the questionnaires to be used , the anticipated ,
                sampling and recording errors and the measures taken to minimize them :                i
                                                                                                   1 ,!
           "b ) experience gained from the implementation of the previous annual programme ,           j
                including progress made in the institution of the new survey system at                 1
                                                           y
                regional level .
  ( 1 ) OJ Ko L 35 , 4.2.1978 , p. 1 .
 ---pagebreak--- 2 . These animal programmes shall "be forwarded to the Commission "by the Italian
    Rspublio before the end of June of the year before that to which they refer c
3 . At the request of the Coamiseion, the Italian Republic shall provide farther
    information on the programme submitted in accordance with paragraph 1 .
    The Commission shall decide whether to approve the annual programmes in
    aooordanoe with the procedure laid down in Article 6 , after consulting the
    Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics .
                                  Article 5
1 * The Community ■ a total share in the programme referred to in Article 1 is
    estimated to he a maximum of 20 million European units of acoount .
2 . This contribution shall    -
    be . made available to the Italian Republic in six yearly instalments after-
    submission and approval of the annual programme of implementation referred to in
    Artiole 4 *
3 * The annual distribution of the total amount referred to in paragraph 1 shall
    depend on the progress made in the implementation of the programme .
                                  Art i c le 6   ' '
1 . Where the procedure laid down in this Artiole is to be followed , the matter
    shall be referred to the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics by its
    Chairman , either on his own initiative or at the request of the representative
    of a Member State .
2. The Commission representative shall submit to the Committee a draft of the _
    measures to be taken. The Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics shall
    give its opinion on these measures within a time limit which may be set by the
    Chairman in accordance with the urgency of the matters submitted for discussion .
    It shall act by a majority of 41 votes , , the votes of the Member States being
    weighted as laid down in Artiole 14& ( 2) of the Treaty. The Chairman shall not
    vote .                                                      -
 ---pagebreak---                                                     shall be
3 . The Commission shall adopt the measures^hich      /   immediately applicable .
     However , if they are not in accordance with the opinion of the Standing
     Committee for Agricultural Statistics , the Commission shall submit them to
     the Council without delay ; if this is done , the Commission may delay the
     application of the proposed measures by not more than one month after the
     date of submission .
   x The Council may take a different decision within a period of one month ,
     acting by a qualified majority .
                              Artide ?
                 /
     This Decision shall apply with effect from
                              Article 8
     This Decision is addressed to the Italian Republic .
Done at Brussels ,                                   For the Council ,
                                                     The President
 ---pagebreak--- Finanoial statement
Annex .to the proposal for a Council Regulation on the restructuring of the
agricultural survey system in Italy .
Title and purpose
Introduction of a new survey system based on the creation at a specific
geographical level ( region or lower- geographical unit ) of a permanent sample
survey of holdings executed by means of interviews by trained agents .
Origin
The improvement of the agricultural survey system in Italy will help eliminate
many of the difficulties encountered by the Italian statistical authorities in
meeting Community requirements . Particular advantages are to be gained in the
area of faim structure statistics , but the new system will also affect the
specific surveys currently being conducted . in the fields of animal and vegetable
products statistics .
Justification    »
The implementation , at regional or even lower level , of a permaneht body of
interviewers will considerably increase the reliability of the results , and reduce
the risk that part of the data provided in response to the Community 's requirement
results from experts' estimates rathei4 than    from the collection of actual data .
The development of such a system of annual sample surveys at the farm level based
on multi-purpose field survey teams will ensure a better integration into the
European agricultural statistics system . The new system will be useful for the
formulation of agricultural structure policy with particular reference to the
Mediterranean area .           .
Allocation and estimation of cost
It is anticipated that the expenditure incurred by the Member State "'concerned
Bhall     "be  met    in part by the Commission at a flat rate of 20 million
European units of account from the credits entered in the budget under Chapter 31
"Expenses in the agricultural field "
This contribution shall be granted in six yearly instalments as follows
( in million EUA ) :                          '
                     1982 s 1.0               1985 : 4.0
                     1983 : -1.0              1986 : 7.0
                     1984 s 2.0             • 1987 s 5.0
Subject to the submission and approval of annual programmes of measures to
implement the new system .